Media Advisory - Alberta Securities Commission's CheckFirst.Ca(fé) comes to Edmonton to help Albertans avoid getting burned by investment fraud

CALGARY, Feb. 29, 2016  /CNW/ -

WHAT:	It's time to wake up and smell the coffee. March is Fraud Prevention Month, and the unfortunate reality is that investment fraud is a persistent issue in Alberta – in fact, 30 per cent of Albertans believe they have been approached with a potentially fraudulent investment.
	It can be difficult to spot a bad investment, but the Alberta Securities Commission (ASC) is here to help point Albertans in the right direction. The ASC is bringing its popular CheckFirst Café to downtown Edmonton, to remind Albertans to check before they invest. The CheckFirst Café is part of the ASC's CheckFirst.ca campaign, an awareness campaign aimed at educating Albertans on fraud awareness and prevention.
	On Thursday, March 3 from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., downtown Edmonton's Three Bananas Café will be transformed into the CheckFirst Café, where baristas will serve Edmontonians complimentary specialties like 'Lost Dream Lattes' and 'Fraud-accinos.' Well-known Alberta-based a capella group, The Heebee-jeebees, will be on hand to entertain the crowd. Most importantly, representatives from the ASC will be on site to educate Albertans on how to avoid getting burned by investment fraud by being able to identify red flags.
	The CheckFirst.ca campaign is part of a province-wide initiative to educate Albertans on how to protect themselves, their money and their financial future from investment fraud. Becoming an informed investor is easy – start with checking registration, which can be done online in the time it takes to finish a cup of coffee.
WHO:	Alison Trollope, Director, Communications & Investor Education, Alberta Securities Commission
WHEN:	Thursday, March 3, 2016
	7 a.m. to 11 a.m.
	*Media are requested to arrive between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.
WHERE:	Three Bananas Cafe
	Churchill Square - 9918 102 Ave NW
*PHOTO OP:	Alberta Securities Commission staff and ambassadors will be on hand to educate customers about investment fraud and give out complimentary investment-themed coffee, tea and treats at the uniquely branded CheckFirst Café pop-up shop.

SOURCE Alberta Securities Commission

Doug Self, Brookline Public Relations, Office: 403-538-5641 ext. 108, Mobile: [phone], Email: [email protected]