The Investment Fraud Support Center

Every person is unique, but when you face a challenge like investment fraud, you are never alone. Countless men and women have faced the exact same crisis and have survived and thrived.  The following guide is designed to help you navigate your journey with the best information and resources that helped other survivors when they faced the same challenge.  

TSC has scoured the Internet and assembled links to the very best resources about investment fraud: articles, blogs, forums and tools that can help you make better decisions and take action to overcome the range of financial, emotional and other challenges that you face.

As you’ll see, we always welcome your ideas and suggestions to make this Investment Fraud Guide even more helpful to survivors like you.    

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Survivors Say: Best Resources for Investment Fraud

Survivors say these are the best guides for those who have just found out -- check them out to understand your options.

• AARP.org: Investment Fraud
• USA.gov: Banking and Investment Fraud
• US Securities & Exchange Commission: Internet Fraud: How to Avoid Internet Investment Scams
  

The Big Picture

Everyone is looking to grow their finances but during their efforts, they may ignore the warning signs when something seems to good to be true. It has happened to large financial institutions as much as it has happened to small, first-time investors. If you have been involved in investment fraud, there are a variety of sources available to help you cope, from government branches to consumer organizations.

• Federal Trade Commission: Investment Fraud
• MSN Money: Top 10 Investing Scams
  

Your Investment Fraud

To better understand investment fraud, test your financial knowledge:

• AARP.org: Investment Fraud - Test Your Investment Fraud IQ
• NASAA.org: Fraud Awareness Quiz

Your World

After finding out that you have been a part of investment fraud, you need to begin the financial -- and emotional -- recovery process. Government and consumer advocacy groups provide a variety of resources to report the fraud, and help you understand how to deal with it.

• Comptroller of the Currency Administrator of National Banks: National Bank Anti-Fraud Resource Center Consumer Information
• Securities Fraud and Investor Protection: Securities Fraud Resources
• Consumer Action Handbook: Investing - Beware Investment Fraud

Investment Fraud Myths

• Investment scammers go after young people.
• It's truly possible to double your money within a short time period.
• E-mails from overseas offer secret hidden investment opportunities.

Information and Recommended Links for Survivors

Survivors say these are the best guides -- check them out to learn how you can protect against -- and recover from -- investment fraud.

• National Consumer League's Fraud Center
• NASAA: Senior Investor Resource Center
• Bankrate: Protecting Your Investment Portfolio
  
• Kiplinger Magazine: Protecting Your Nest Egg From Con Artists
  

Solutions That Can Help

Tax Payment Assistance for Investment Fraud Survivors

You may be able to write off your investment-fraud losses on your tax return.

Women's Finance: Recovering from Investment Fraud

Filing a Claim for Investment Fraud

You can bring a legal case against the person or company that took your money, but it's wise to talk to a securities lawyer about how to do so.

• SecuritiesFraudHelpCenter.org
• Financial Industry Regulatory Authority: Arbitration & Mediation

Creating a Support Circle

• Set up your TSC Survivor Profile
• Join support groups of other survivors or set up your own
• Interact and provide updates on your profile or our forums

Professionals Who Can Help

Contact government and business agencies to file a complaint, then find a securities attorney to take action against the criminal.

• NASAA: Contact Your State Securities Regulator
• Financial Industry Regulatory Authority: Investor Complaint Cente

Resources to Find Professionals

• U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission: How to Find a Lawyer Specializing in Securities
• Public Investors Arbitration Bar Association

Communicating with Your Investment Fraud Expert

• Contact an attorney and inquire about your legal rights. Find out what legal action you can take to right your investment fraud and not let it affect your personal finances.
• Create a well thought-out plan for dealing with your case of investment fraud.
  
• Don't be afraid to ask any questions, even if you may be scared of the answer.
  
• Write down any questions you may have ahead of time , then write down the answers to those questions as your investment professional walks you through them. Don't be afraid to ask for clarification on anything.

The Emotional Roller Coaster

Dealing with investment fraud can certainly be a financial burden. Many people panic about how they'll ever be able to recoup their money. To avoid this, it's important to continue living your life normally, participating in the same daily activities you've always done. Support groups are also important to maintaining a healthy emotional state. Other than that, educating yourself how to avoid investment fraud in the future will help you and your loved ones deal with the crisis. Online forums and support groups can also help you gain advice and information from those who have been in your situation.

419Legal.org: Internet Fraud and Online Scam Forum

Books Survivors Recommend

• Crimes of Persuasion: Schemes, Scams, Frauds by Les Henderson
• Scams & Swindles: Phishing, Spoofing, ID Theft, Nigerian Advance Schemes Investment Frauds: How to Recognize And Avoid Rip-Offs In The Internet Age  by the Silver Lake Editors
  
• The Forewarned Investor: Don't Get Fooled Again by Corporate Fraud by Brett S. Messing and Steven A. Sugarman

What Survivors Wish They’d Known

Dealing with Investment Fraud: Information for Co-Survivors:

How you can help

• Assist your friend or family member with whatever help he may need, but be sure to find a good balance so as not to throw off his pattern of living. That may increase his stress if he feels he is becoming a burden.
• Preserve your friend or family member's daily activities.
• Involve your friend or family member with others. Don't focus exclusively on her financial woes when interacting with her. Talk to her about your own life make plans to visit friends and loved ones. A survivor involved with others has a better chance of avoiding feelings of abandonment.

Money Magazine: Keeping The Bad Guys Away From Mom & Dad

What to say   

• "Let's fix this and take steps to make sure it doesn't happen again."
  
• "I know you will recover from this and I'll help however I can."
• "This isn't your fault."

What not to say

• “That's what you get for being greedy."
• "You should be more careful with your money." 
• "I can't believe you fell for that."
  

How to build a support network

• Set up your TSC Co-Survivor Profile.
  
• Create a support group for your friend or family member.
  
• Interact and provide updates
  

While recovering from investment fraud, assess and share with others how you feel emotionally and mentally. Recovering from investment fraud takes time, but keeping a positive attitude will get you back on your feet much quicker.

Surviving with and Repairing Investment Fraud 

US Securities & Exchange Commission: Internet Fraud: How to Avoid Internet Investment Scams

See these real-life stories of investment fraud and you'll realize you're not the only one.

AARP: A Real Life Look at Investment Fraud - The Lure of Money

Give Back

What helped you while you were dealing with finding a solution to your financial problem. When did you realize you had recovered? Not only is it important to share with others the resources you used to overcome this crisis, but it's also essential that you report investment fraud and file a complaint to prevent the criminals from hurting anyone else.

US Securities and Exchange Commission: SEC Center for Complaints and Enforcement Tips

They Got Away With It

If you find that you have been a victim of investment fraud, file a complaint, then contact an attorney that specializes in investment fraud who can help you recover your money and find out if you are eligible for special tax assistance.

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