News Release

Released:09/05/01 Contact: Andrew Poon
NR 01-37 (604) 899-6880 or
(BC only) 1-800-373-6393

Vancouver -- The BC Securities Commission and Seniors' Foundation of BC are back on the road to offer free seminars on avoiding investment scams.

In a series of province-wide seminars scheduled this fall, representatives from the securities commission will show seniors how to protect themselves and their investments from frauds and unscrupulous salespeople. Learn how to identify an investment scam, how to check out the background of a financial adviser and how to determine if an investment is suitable for your circumstances.

A series of spring seminars met with enthusiastic support from seniors in Surrey, Vancouver, Victoria, Campbell River, Courtney and North Vancouver.

The commission granted the foundation $45,000 earlier this year to develop and present a series of BCSC seminars on avoiding investment scams, a financial information brochure, and enhancements to the Seniors' Foundation website to provide information on how to avoid inappropriate investments and frauds.

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

"Each year the BCSC hears from many seniors who bought investments that were sold with misleading information. We want to show you how to prevent that from happening to you."

The first fall seminar will be held in Langley on Wednesday, Sept. 5, the Investigate Before You Invest portion of the seminar offers general tips and insight on how to avoid getting conned or making inappropriate investments. The seminar also feature experts on financial planning, tax laws and memorial services.

The seminar begins at 9 a.m. and will be held at the Newlands Golf Club. People can get more information by calling the BC Seniors' Foundation at 1-800-377-5566.

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

Seminars are planned for the following dates and locations. Contact the BC Seniors' Foundation at (604) 685-4403 for seminar times.

Sept. 5 - Newlands Golf Club, Langley

Sept. 13 - Tign-na Mara Resort, Parksville

Sept. 19 - BW Richmond Inn, Richmond

Sept. 20 - Shadbolt Arts Ctr., Deer Lake, Burnaby

Sept. 26 - Park Royal Hotel, West Vancouver

Oct. 15 - Vernon Golf Course, Vernon

Oct. 16 - Ramada Inn, Penticton

Oct. 17 - Desert Gardens Seniors Ctr, Kamloops

Oct. 18 - Heritage Hotel, Nelson

Oct. 23 - Glen Meadows Golf Club, Sidney