News Release

Released: 12/28/00 Contact: Dean Pelkey
NR 00-57 (604) 899-6880 or
(BC only) 1-800-373-6393 Vancouver -- The British Columbia Securities Commission and Vancouver School Board are teaming up to offer a pair of free seminars on avoiding investment scams.

The seminars show investors how to protect themselves and their investments from scams and unscrupulous salespeople. Learn how to identify an investment scam, how to check out the background of a financial adviser and how to identify individual risk tolerance and decide if an investment is suitable.

"Our goal with these seminars is to give investors the knowledge and tools to protect themselves and safeguard their life's savings," said Doug Hyndman, BCSC chair.

"Each year the BCSC hears from people who bought investments they didn't understand or that were sold with misleading information. We want to show you how to prevent that from happening to you."

The first seminar on January 9 is called Investigate Before You Invest and offers general tips and insight on how to avoid getting conned or making inappropriate investments.

The second seminar on January 11, Investing Online, deals with the pitfalls of online investing and common scams perpetrated on the Internet.

Both seminars start at 7 p.m. and will be held at Vancouver Technical Secondary School, 2600 East Broadway. People can pre-register for either seminar by calling the Vancouver School Board at 713-4550.

The B.C. Securities Commission is the independent provincial government agency responsible for regulating trading in securities and exchange contracts within B.C.

What: Free Investor Education Seminars
When: Tuesday, Jan 9, 7 p.m. - Investigate Before You Invest
Thursday Jan 11, 7 p.m. - Investing Online
Where: Vancouver Technical Secondary School
2600 East Broadway