Be an informed investor: Check before you invest

CALGARY, March 2, 2015 /CNW/ - March is Fraud Prevention Month and the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) are encouraging Canadian investors to take the time to research investments before making important investing decisions. Before investing, the CSA recommends that investors follow these four easy steps:

1.      Check registration of the person or company selling or advising about securities. The CSA National Registration Search is a simple and free tool for investors to use to check registration.

2.      Check disciplinary history to find out if the person or company has broken regulatory rules in the past. It's easy to do through the CSA cease trade orders database and the disciplined persons list.

3.      Check available tools and resources that the CSA has to offer to assist investors in learning how to protect themselves and their investments.

4.      Check the news and search online to see if there are any news releases or online information about the company or person.

"CSA investor education tools and resources can help Canadians become informed investors, which is one of the best defences against fraud," said Bill Rice, Chair of the CSA and CEO of the Alberta Securities Commission. "The CSA is here to help investors protect their money and learn how to avoid investment fraud. It starts with a simple step: checking registration."

The CSA would also like to remind investors to participate in Check Registration Day on Wednesday March 18 2015. Checking registration is easy and a great first step to becoming an informed investor. Investors who access the National Registration Search for the first time will be asked to complete a brief survey to help us make future  improvements to this tool.

During Fraud Prevention Month, investors can follow tweets from @CSA_News for additional helpful tips and information on being a smart investor and fraud prevention.

The CSA, the council of securities regulators of Canada's provinces and territories, co-ordinates and harmonizes regulation for the Canadian capital markets.

SOURCE Canadian Securities Administrators

Alison Trollope, Alberta Securities Commission, 403-297-2664; Sylvain Théberge, Autorité des marchés financiers, 514-940-2176; Richard Gilhooley, British Columbia Securities Commission, 604-899-6713; Carolyn Shaw-Rimmington, Ontario Securities Commission, 416-593-2361; Kevan Hannah, Manitoba Securities Commission, 204-945-1513; Andrew Nicholson, Financial and Consumer Services, Commission, New Brunswick, 506-658-3021; Tanya Wiltshire, Nova Scotia Securities Commission, 902-424-8586; Janice Callbeck, Office of the Superintendent of Securities, P.E.I., 902-368-6288; Don Boyles, Office of the Superintendent of Securities, Newfoundland and Labrador, 709-729-4501; Rhonda Horte, Office of the Yukon Superintendent Of Securities, 867-667-5466; Louis Arki, Nunavut Securities Office, 867-975-6587; Gary MacDougall, Northwest Territories Securities Office, 867-920-3318; Shannon McMillan, Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan, 306-798-4160