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Utah Division of Securities Utah Division of Securities Leigh Davis-Schmidt Securities Examiner Utah Division of Securities Utah Division of Securities Mission: The Securities Division enhances Utah’s business climate by protecting Utah’s investors through education, enforcement and fair regulation of Utah’s investment industry while fostering opportunities for capital formation. Utah Division of Securities How Do We Accomplish This? • • • • • • Register Securities License Investment Professionals Conduct Compliance Examinations Educate Investors Investigate Investor Complaints Enforce State Securities Laws – Administrative & Civil Actions – Criminal Filings Utah Division of Securities Top 10 Ways to Lose Your Money Utah Division of Securities 1. Ponzi Schemes 2. Unlicensed Individuals Selling Securities 3. Unregistered Investment Products 4. Promissory Notes 5. Senior Investment Fraud 6. High-Yield Investment Schemes 7. Internet Fraud 8. Affinity Fraud 9. Variable Annuity Sales Practices 10. Unscrupulous Brokers Utah Division of Securities Why Is This Important To You? EVERYONE IS A TARGET! Utah Division of Securities Ponzi Schemes • Promise High Rates of Return, Little or No Risk • Use Money From New Investors to Pay Earlier Investors • Typically No Legitimate Business Revenue • Example: 12 Daily Pro Utah Division of Securities Unlicensed Individuals • Lured by High Commissions • Anyone Selling Securities Must Be Licensed - No License, No Sale Utah Division of Securities Unregistered Investment Products • Bypass Stringent State Registration & Disclosure Requirements • Securities – Not Just Stocks & Bonds • Investment Contracts • Promissory Notes • Viatical Settlements • Promise High Returns, Little or No Risk Utah Division of Securities Investor’s Name Utah Division of Securities Promissory Notes • Typically Issued by Little Known or Non-Existent Companies • Promise High Returns, Little or No Risk • Insurance Agents Often Targeted to Promote These Notes • Example: Beverly Hills Dev. Corp. Utah Division of Securities 10% Per Annum Foreign Currency Investor’s Name Utah Division of Securities Senior Investment Fraud • Often Claim to be “Senior Specialists” • Certified Elder Planning Specialists (The National Registry of Elder Planning Advisors) • Senior Benefit Centers Network • Senior Financial Survival Workshop • Certified Senior Advisors • Sundance Public Relations • Ghost Written Books – Alligator Proofing Your Estate • Newsletters & Brochures – Senior Times Utah Division of Securities High-Yield Investment Schemes • Promise Double or Triple-Digit Returns Through Access to “Risk Free Guaranteed High-Yield Instruments” • Prime Bank Schemes • Access to Investment Portfolios of the World’s Elite Banks • “Secret Off-Shore Trading Programs” Utah Division of Securities Not A Solicitation IMF Sponsored High Yield Investment Program $600 Billion In 10 Days Utah Division of Securities 665% In 12 Months Secret Currency Beyond Reach of Government Used By World’s Wealthy Utah Division of Securities Internet Fraud • E-mail, Web Sites, Instant Messaging, Chat Rooms (Hidden Identities) • $122 Million in Losses in 2002 • More Than 125,000 Victims and Over $100 Million in Losses in 2003 • Very Little Money is Ever Recovered Utah Division of Securities Affinity Fraud • “I am also a member of (insert your religious, ethnic, professional or community-based organization)” • Same “deal” was made with a prominent leader of your organization – “name dropping” • Example: Tooele Community Utah Division of Securities Variable Annuity Sales Practices • • • • • • High Surrender Charges Higher Costs than Alternative Investments Benefits Cost Extra Steep Sales Commission Paid to Agents Long-Term Investment (10 Years or More) May Be Unsuitable for Many Retirees Utah Division of Securities Annuity University • Use Introductory Seminars • Offer Free Meal • “Probe, Then Disturb, Then Enhance The Problem” Wall Street Journal July 2, 2002 Utah Division of Securities Annuity University • “You’re there to solve their problems, but you have to create those problems first – No Problem, No Sale” • “Tell them you can protect their life savings from nursinghome and Medicare seizure of assets. They don’t know what that is, but it sounds scary…it’s about putting a pitchfork in their chest.” • “Show them their finances are all screwed up so that they think Oh, no! I’ve done it all wrong – this will make you money” Wall Street Journal July 2, 2002 Utah Division of Securities Utah Division of Securities Unscrupulous Brokers • • • • • • Unsuitable Investment Recommendations Excessive Trading in Client Accounts Unauthorized Trading Guaranteeing Clients Against Loss Borrowing Money From Clients Example: Christofferson Utah Division of Securities Common Threads • • • • Promise of High Returns Promise of Little or No Risk Prey on Investors’ Trust Investors Don’t Ask Questions Utah Division of Securities Women-Specific Issues • • • • • Flatter Factor Romantic Interest Too Trusting Afraid to Confront or Question Examples: – Scharbach – Simper – Deussen Utah Division of Securities So, What Can You Do? Utah Division of Securities • Ask Questions – Be An Informed Investor • Check Out Strangers Touting Strange Deals • Watch Out For Salespeople Who – Prey On Your Fears – Try To Rush Your Decision • Don’t Be Afraid To Hang Up The Phone • Don’t Put All Of Your Eggs In One Basket • Monitor Your Investments - Always Stay In Charge Of Your Money Utah Division of Securities • Get Everything In Writing And Keep A Copy Of All Documents • Risk No More Than You Can Afford To Lose • If You Don’t Understand The Investment Avoid It!!! • Report Misconduct, Fraud Or Abuse To The Division • Pass This Information On To Your Family, Your Friends, And Others Utah Division of Securities REMEMBER: Investigate EVERYTHING Before You Invest Utah Division of Securities Utah Division of Securities 1-800-721-SAFE (7233) (801) 530-6600 www.securities.utah.gov