We are a society of investors. Americans now put more money into investments each year than into savings accounts. Unfortunately, millions of dollars are lost by South Carolina investors through securities fraud, sales abuses, or an investor’s failure to fully educate themselves on a particular issue.
Frequently, these losses are from savings that have been painstakingly accumulated over many years or retirement funds that can’t be replaced. Victims are of all ages and levels of sophistication. In the majority of these losses, none of the investors’ money is ever recovered. To help prevent these losses, the Securities Division of the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office has established the Investor Education and Information Program.
The Investor Education and Outreach Program serves to:
Because state and federal securities regulators can’t predict all of the securities frauds and abuses that may occur in South Carolina, the Investor Education and Outreach Program is designed to help investors protect themselves.
Securities Contact Information
Office of the SC Attorney General
Securities Division
P. O. Box 11549
Columbia, SC 29211-1549
(803) 734-9916
For overnight delivery:
Securities Division
Rembert Dennis Building
1000 Assembly Street
Columbia, SC 29201
The Investor Education and Outreach Program is a public service for South Carolina investors. Program expenses are paid from registration fees collected from broker/dealers, investment advisors, and mutual funds, and from settlements of lawsuits involving brokerage firms and other companies.
The program’s publications cover several investment-related topics, including the avoidance of scams, microcap stock (penny stock) fraud, and how senior citizens can avoid being conned. The Securities Division also provides free information about the companies and people who sell these investments. You can learn about specific steps to take and agencies to call when you have questions. You can also find out whether your salesperson is licensed to sell securities and whether there have been complaints against the salesperson or the broker/dealer.
You also will be reminded of some basic investing rules, such as:
In addition to publications, speakers are available for community groups and organizations at no charge. Groups interested in scheduling an Investor Education and Information Program representative should contact our office or fill out a request a speaker form.
The Securities Division can present educational information regarding ways to help avoid investment fraud.
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If you are working with a financial professional, or someone is trying to sell you an investment, be sure to check them out before handing over your hard-earned money.
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