FINRA Staff

No matter how trustworthy someone might seem, don't make investment decisions based on the advice of anyone who makes unsolicited contact with you online or through an app or text message.

Follow these steps to help soften the impact of an unexpected hit to your finances.

Targets might receive high-pressure calls or messages from official-sounding organizations.

A host of financial products trade OTC, including stocks, bonds, currencies and various derivatives.

FINRA's mission is protecting investors and ensuring the integrity of U.S. securities markets.

Develop a plan to tackle your debt and set your priorities when it comes to budgeting.

Numerous companies have been charged with selling overpriced precious metals to customers.

While these securities can be legitimate investments, they're also high-risk, so approach them with caution.

Investment claims that sound too good to be true usually are.

Improvements in technology are allowing trades to settle more quickly.

Educating yourself and making well-informed financial decisions will help you greatly in the long run.

Always research investment professionals before making an investment.

TRACE brings transparency to the fixed income market by sharing timely and reliable data with the public.

Uninvested cash is a potentially valuable part of your investment portfolio.

Learn how to spot a bogus story.

Direct registration allows you to have your securities registered in your name, rather than in the name of a brokerage firm.

Selling and buying options with zero days to expiration can be risky.

These scams have grown dramatically in recent years, with individual investors sometimes losing hundreds of thousands of dollars.

While all investments have risk, self-directed IRAs have some risks that differ from those involved with other IRAs.

Knowing how to recognize these scams can help you protect your identity and assets.