Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

[BREG]

You should consider the following factors when looking into investments.

Always check to see if the investment you want to purchase is registered and if the company or salesperson selling it are licensed. You can call the Securities Compliance Branch of the Business Registration Division at the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to verify the registration of investments and the licensing of brokers. Call 586-2730 to verify the license of the salesperson. And, call 586-2722 to verify the registration status of the investment being offered.

Check the company or salesperson’s track record by asking for references and by calling Business Registration’s Securities Enforcement Branch at 586-2740. That’s 586-2740, to see if complaints have been filed against the company or individual. You should also call the National Association of Securities Dealers’ Disciplinary Information Hotline at 1-800-289-9999 to see if any disciplinary action has been taken against the company or individual.

Keep in mind that you are investing your hard earned money. For example, if you invest in stocks, do your homework. Understand how the investment works and find out what you can about the particular stocks you are investing in. Know when, where, and how your investment dividends will be credited to you, as well as how much you can expect to receive per payment. Know whom to get in touch with, if you have any questions or problems. And, know what questions you want to ask, if you do call.

In investments, when a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t true.