Investor Education Booklets

Investor Education Booklets

Mobile App Scams: Safeguard Your Investments

With the proliferation of mobile device use and access to apps, more investors become vulnerable to scammers. Provided by the Secretary of State.

Cryptocurrency: Let's Talk About the Basics

Scammer entices you to send your cryptocurrency to them with promises of large gains, using words like "guaranteed" and "risk-free." Provided by the Secretary of State.

Protect Your Investments: Know the Warning Signs of a "Pig Butchering" Scam

Never send money to a stranger via cryptocurrency. Provided by the Secretary of State.

Don't Get Swept Away by a Romance Scam

Scammers are increasingly posing as potential romantic partners to lure people into fraudulent investment schemes. Provided by the Secretary of State.

Buyer Be Aware: Crypto & Securities Scams

This alert focuses on how to avoid scams involving spoofed websites, "finfluencers," cryptocurrency and fake romances. Provided by the Secretary of State.

Seniors' Guide to Staying Safe Online

The stress of financial fraud can be life-changing, especially for those in their retirement years. Provided by the Secretary of State.

Does Crypto Threaten Your Investment Accounts?

Surprise! You might be a crypto investor! Provided by the Secretary of State.

Single Stock ETFs Have Unique Risks; Understand Them Before You Invest

People invest to achieve financial goals, and every investor has different investment goals and risk tolerances. Provided by the Secretary of State.

How to Protect Yourself from Losing Real Money in the Virtual World

For much of human existence, people have fantasized about what virtual worlds might look like in the future. Provided by the Secretary of State.

Financial Advice via Social Media: The Rise of the "Finfluencer"

Social media has become one of the main ways in which people connect to one another. Provided by the Secretary of State.

Reassigned Investment Accounts

The relationship you have with your financial adviser is a key element to meeting your long-term financial goals. Provided by the Secretary of State.

Bank to the Future: Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Defined

Decentralized finance, or DeFi, is a relatively new blockchain-based set of financial services gaining popularity and acceptance. Provided by the Secretary of State.

Are You an Informed Investor? Expense Ratios

Mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) offer investors a cost-efficient way to invest. Provided by the Secretary of State.

Are You an Informed Investor? ESG Investing

Many investors are becoming more conscious of whether a company in which they are investing has considered ESG factors. Provided by the Secretary of State.

Social Media, Online Trading and Investing

Some investors turn to online chatrooms and social media platforms for information about investing. Provided by the Secretary of State.

Are You an Informed Investor? Protecting Online Accounts

Modern financial conveniences, come with risk. Provided by the Secretary of State

Are You an Informed Investor? Private Placement Offerings

Better understand what to look for when considering private placement offerings. Provided by the Secretary of State.

Are You an Informed Investor? Be Wary of Bond Ratings

Better understand what to look for when considering investing in bonds. Provided by the Secretary of State.

How Blind Trust Can Break the Bank PDF

Better understand how fraudsters exploit the trust that exists among members of a group. Provided by the Secretary of State.

Are You an Informed Investor? Contracts for Difference

A contract for difference (CFD) is offered as an alternative to traditional financial instruments used to speculate on financial markets. Provided by the Secretary of State.

Are You an Informed Investor? Opportunity Zones

Opportunity zones encourage longer-term investments in low-income U.S. communities by providing certain tax benefits to investors. Provided by the Secretary of State.

Initial Loan Procurements: Where Crowdfunding Meets Blockchain

Companies using blockchain technology need to raise capital just like any other company. Provided by the Secretary of State.

Are You an Informed Investor? Cross-Selling

Cross-selling by banks and investment firms is a growing concern for securities regulators. Provided by the Secretary of State.

Are You an Informed Investor? Robo-Advisers

Investors are increasingly turning to robo-advisers to help them manage their portfolios. Provided by the Secretary of State.

Are You an Informed Investor? Promissory Notes

Unscrupulous individuals sell bogus promissory notes to unsuspecting retail investors and promissory note schemes continue as a leading source of investor complaints.

Marijuana-Related Investments: Greener Pastures or Just Another Scam?

You know the pitch – “Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime investment opportunity with greener pastures right on the horizon!” Provided by the Secretary of State.

Escheatment: Do You Have Unclaimed Property Sitting with the Government?

Escheatment is a process whereby the government takes ownership of property, including financial assets, that has been deemed abandoned. Provided by the Secretary of State.

Are You an Informed Investor? What to Know about ICOs

Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) are attracting investors interested in new trends in technology investing. Regulation of ICOs is evolving and complex.

Be Cautious of the Crypto Investment Craze

Be mindful that cryptocurrencies and related financial products may be nothing more than public-facing fronts for Ponzi schemes and other frauds.

INFORMED INVESTOR ADVISORY: Are Unicorns a Myth?

Unicorns are not just the stuff of fairy tales; some financial unicorns exist today. Provided by the Secretary of State.

Are You an Informed Investor? Online Binary Options Schemes

A binary option is a type of all-or-nothing investment contract, similar to placing a bet. Provided by the Secretary of State.

Are You an Informed Investor? EB-5 Fraud: Immigrant Investors Beware

Better understand to learn how to avoid becoming victimized a second time. Provided by the Secretary of State.

Are You an Informed Investor? Third-Party Asset Recovery Companies

Use caution if approached by companies promising to help them recover their lost investment funds and bring the perpetrators to “justice.”

Are You an Informed Investor? The Next Big Thing

At first glance, marijuana, binary options, and digital currency appear to have no real connection to one another. Provided by the Secretary of State.

Pension Advance Scams: Retirees Beware

Better understand how pension advance scams work and what you can do to protect yourself.

Understanding Broker-Dealer Fees

Better understand the fees you are being charged to determine if you are getting the best value for the services being provided. Provided by the Secretary of State.

Are You an Informed Investor? Cybersecurity

The list of financial institutions targeted by organized cyber attacks continues to grow with ever-increasing frequency.

NASAA Advisory -- Third Party Custodians (NC version)

Learn the fictions and facts about third-party custodians of self-directed IRAs and other qualified plans. Provided by the Secretary of State.

Are You an Informed Investor? High-Yield Investment Programs

Virtual Currency

Virtual currencies, which includes digital and crypto-currency, are gaining in both popularity and controversy.

SEC-NASAA Investor Bulletin: Making Sense of Financial Professional Titles

To use certain titles, a financial professional may need to pass exams, meet ethical standards, have relevant work experience, and undertake continuing education.

NASAA -- Cutting Through the Confusion

Learn practical guidance about how consumers should go about selecting a financial advisor to assist them with their investments.

Are You an Informed Investor? Energy Investments

Learn more about energy investments and how you can protect yourself from fraud. Provided by the Secretary of State.

Are You an Informed Investor? Financial Service Providers

Learn more about financial service providers and how you can protect yourself from fraud. Provided by the Secretary of State.

Are You an Informed Investor? Crowdfunding

Learn more about crowdfunding and how you can protect yourself from fraud. Provided by the Secretary of State.

Small Business Advisory: Crowdfunding

Learn what every business owner should know to determine if crowdfunding is right for you and your business.

Clinicians Pocket Guide on Elder Investment Fraud and Financial Exploitation

A list of potential questions doctors might ask their patients is included as are referral resources.

Patient Education Brochure - Elder Investment Fraud and Financial Exploitation

Patient brochure detailing the signs of potential elder financial abuse. Provided by the Secretary of State.

Are You an Informed Investor? Social Networking

Learn how you can protect yourself from fraud in social networking. Provided by the Secretary of State.

Are You an Informed Investor? Exchange Traded Funds

Two-page investor alert about ETFs. Provided by the Secretary of State.

Are You an Informed Investor? Derivatives

Learn about some of the more common types of derivatives. Provided by the Secretary of State.

Are You an Informed Investor? Gold

Ten issues to consider before you make a gold-related investment. Provided by the Secretary of State.

Are You an Informed Investor? Peer-to-Peer Lending

Do you know what peer-to-peer lending is? How safe is it? How does it work? Who regulates peer-to-peer lending?

NASAA -- A Century of Investor Protection (1911-2011)

The state and provincial securities regulators who comprise the North American Securities Administrators Association membership have protected Main Street investors from fraud for 100+ years.

Financial Field Manual: The Personal Finance Guide for Military Families

Financial Field Manual: The Personal Finance Guide for Military Families (PDF) Provided by the Secretary of State.

Five Keys to Investing Success

What you need to know to be a better investor, with simple steps to help you reach your goals.

https://www.flc.nc.gov/resources/investor-education-booklets

Thousands of financial professionals are eager to give you advice. Here's how to choose one that best suits your needs.

Mutual Funds and ETFs: Maybe All You'll Ever Need

Americans' most popular investment choice is ideal to make your money grow to meet all your financial goals.

The Basics for Investing in Stocks

Although they are unpredictable over the short term, stocks have delivered superior returns over the long haul.

A Primer for Investing in Bonds

Bonds can provide a predictable stream of income that you can use for living expenses.

Affinity Fraud

Be wary of investments that seem to benefit only those within your group or organization.

Baby Boomers Beware

As the largest demographic group of retirees, this makes Boomers prime targets for investment scams.

Maximize Your Retirement Investments

Next to putting money aside for retirement in the first place, deciding where to invest that money is the most important step.

Where To Invest Your College Money

The first decision you need to make once you have decided to start putting money aside for college, is where to save or invest it.

Visit the Secretary of State's website for more information about investor education.