When an
investment opportunity sounds too good to be true, it’s probably a scam.
Unfortunately, it can be difficult to identify legitimate opportunities versus
bogus ones as scams become more and more sophisticated each day.
This
is a challenge the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and BDO Foundation are
trying to address through a partnership project.
The
two organizations recently released two entertaining and educational investor
protection videos titled “Check with SEC” and “Legit Investments? It’s a Date.”
The short videos reveal potential investment red flags, teach viewers what
questions to ask and how to verify existing business information, and encourage
the public to check with the proper authorities like the SEC when choosing the
right investment.
“Doble
o higit pa buwan-buwan na kita... Malamang scam ‘yan!”
 |
| Check with SEC. The video not only identifies red flags of investment scams but also encourages viewers to check with the SEC before sealing an investment deal. |
There
are many ways to spot investment red flags. One is to ask the right questions
and listen to and study the answers. The music video “Check with SEC” listed
examples: promising an easy “double your investment” (or more) monthly income,
requiring one to recruit other investors for bonuses, and the need to deposit
investment in the agent’s personal bank account to facilitate the process,
among many others.
These
are only some of the common methods that scammers use to lure potential
investors to shell out their hard-earned money. Oftentimes, the offers promise
high-yielding returns that entice unsuspecting individuals to invest.
Registered
to sell securities?
 |
| Legit Investments? It's a Date. The video urges investors, “Bago mag-invest, mag-imbestiga." |
The
video “Legit Investments? It’s a Date” tells the story of Aldea as she investigates
three potential investment opportunities. She finds her match by fully
understanding her role as an investor, learning more about the business, and asking
for the right documents.
One
of the many lessons viewers can learn from the
video is that being SEC-registered does not automatically mean that a business
is licensed to offer investment products. Some of the required documents to
look for are permit to sell or offer securities,
order of registration, and prospectus and salesman certificate.
The
videos are now accessible on the Facebook page of the SEC and soon on other
platforms of SEC and its partners, as well as on the BDO Foundation YouTube
playlist. These will also be used in training seminars and on-ground campaigns.
“BDO
Foundation, being a staunch advocate of financial education, also believes in
the importance of investor protection. This shared project not only helps
prevent Filipinos from falling victim to investment scams but also builds and
restores confidence in legitimate investment opportunities,” shared BDO
Foundation president Mario Deriquito.
Shared commitment to empower Filipinos through education. BDO Foundation highlights the importance of collaborating with organizations
like the SEC who share the same advocacy in helping Filipinos make smarter
decisions in managing their finances. (Photos courtesy of the SEC).
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