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Find any page or article on CheckFirst as well as news releases, investor alerts, enforcement hearings, decisions and orders from the Alberta Securities Commission website.

31 Common Investment Scams and Red Flags

Learn to recognize, avoid and report investment fraud with our new interactive fraud prevention page.

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Investing in crypto assets

Learn more about crypto and look up all registered, pre-registered and banned crypto trading platforms.

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Can you spot the red flags of a spoof website?

Learn about fraudulent websites imitating registered investment firms and how to verify their legitimacy. 

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Protect yourself. Check the Alberta-based registrant list

Confirm the registration, website URL and contact details of Alberta-based financial institutions and firms and avoid scam websites.

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We offer Investing 101 and financial literacy classes, fraud prevention courses and much more!

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[vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” disable_element=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1603078226498{margin-top: 90px !important;margin-bottom: 60px !important;}”][vc_column width=”7/12″][vc_custom_heading text=”Investment fraud spotlight: COVID-19-related fraud” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23424242″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]Fraudsters prey upon those who are emotionally and financially vulnerable, and the COVID-19 pandemic has created insecurity across many aspects of life. Learn more about the frauds that are affecting Albertans during this uncertain time, and how to protect yourself from them.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Learn more” style=”custom” custom_background=”#e0a94d” custom_text=”#ffffff” shape=”round” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fcheckfirst.ca%2Ftypes-of-investment-risk%2Ftypes-of-investment-scams%2Fcovid-19-related-scams%2F|title:COVID-19%20Fraud||”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”5/12″ css=”.vc_custom_1586195363836{padding-left: 55px !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”4692″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle_2″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” disable_element=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1603078269023{margin-top: 60px !important;margin-bottom: 60px !important;}”][vc_column width=”5/12″ offset=”vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs”][vc_single_image image=”4906″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle_2″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”7/12″ offset=”vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs”][vc_custom_heading text=”Investing as you age” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23424242″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1591721017815{padding-right: 55px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Learn about what you should consider when assessing your investment goals as you age and the right approach to take with any investment, including recognizing and avoiding investment fraud and financial abuse.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Learn more” style=”custom” custom_background=”#2a3845″ custom_text=”#ffffff” shape=”round” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fcheckfirst.ca%2Fplanning-investments%2Flife-stages%2Finvesting-as-you-age%2F|title:About%20ASC||”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” css=”.vc_custom_1614555131487{margin-top: 60px !important;margin-bottom: 60px !important;}”][vc_column width=”5/12″ offset=”vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs”][vc_single_image image=”6109″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle_2″ onclick=”custom_link” link=”https://checkfirst.ca/how-to-invest/investment-trends/what-are-cryptocurrencies/”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”7/12″ offset=”vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs”][vc_custom_heading text=”Investing in crypto assets” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23424242″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1651172701246{padding-right: 55px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Download the new investor’s guide and learn the fundamentals of this alternative investment, including the risks and scams.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Access guide” style=”custom” custom_background=”#8ccfc7″ custom_text=”#ffffff” shape=”round” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fcheckfirst.ca%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2022%2F05%2FASC-Investors-Guide-Cryptocurrencies.pdf|title:About%20ASC|target:_blank”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” css=”.vc_custom_1614555121501{margin-top: 60px !important;margin-bottom: 60px !important;}”][vc_column width=”7/12″][vc_custom_heading text=”Fraudster’s playbook” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23424242″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]Investing can be part of a healthy financial future, but have you ever been offered an investment ‘opportunity’ that you weren’t sure about? Check out our new resource to help you identify and avoid the seven steps scam artists take and protect your hard-earned money – the fraudster’s playbook.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Learn more” style=”custom” custom_background=”#8ccfc7″ custom_text=”#ffffff” shape=”round” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fcheckfirst.ca%2Fresources%2Ffraudsters-playbook%2F”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”5/12″ css=”.vc_custom_1586195363836{padding-left: 55px !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”5102″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle_2″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” css=”.vc_custom_1603078291557{margin-top: 60px !important;margin-bottom: 60px !important;}”][vc_column width=”5/12″][vc_single_image image=”7087″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle_2″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”7/12″ css=”.vc_custom_1584530311905{padding-left: 55px !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”Subscribe to the CheckFirst Newsletter” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23424242″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]Keep up to date on your investing knowledge with our latest articles. Get introduced to investment tools and resources. Be notified about upcoming local investor education events.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Subscribe” style=”custom” custom_background=”#e0a94d” custom_text=”#ffffff” shape=”round” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fcheckfirst.ca%2Fsubscribe|title:Subscribe”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” css=”.vc_custom_1601478045161{margin-top: 60px !important;margin-bottom: 110px !important;}”][vc_column width=”7/12″ css=”.vc_custom_1585669341213{padding-right: 55px !important;}” offset=”vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs”][vc_custom_heading text=”Strengthen your investor knowledge” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23424242″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned investor looking to hone your skills, continuous learning should always be a part of your investing journey. Check out the latest in-class Investing 101 courses held in Calgary and Edmonton.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Learn more” style=”custom” custom_background=”#c87057″ custom_text=”#ffffff” shape=”round” link=”url:%2Fresources%2Finvestment-courses-and-events%2F|||”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”5/12″ offset=”vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs”][vc_single_image image=”3648″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle_2″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” disable_element=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1591721175679{margin-top: 90px !important;}”][vc_column width=”5/12″ offset=”vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs”][vc_single_image image=”56″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle_2″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”7/12″ offset=”vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs”][vc_custom_heading text=”Check before you invest” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23424242″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1584530303312{padding-right: 55px !important;}”][vc_column_text]CheckFirst is your go-to resource for the world of investing. Develop your investor knowledge, understand the risks and invest wisely with unbiased resources and information brought to you by the Alberta Securities Commission.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”About the ASC” style=”custom” custom_background=”#2a3845″ custom_text=”#ffffff” shape=”round” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fcheckfirst.ca%2Fabout-asc%2F|title:About%20ASC||”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” disable_element=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1587676227600{margin-bottom: 110px !important;}”][vc_column width=”5/12″ offset=”vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs”][vc_single_image image=”3648″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_circle_2″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”7/12″ css=”.vc_custom_1585669341213{padding-right: 55px !important;}” offset=”vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs”][vc_custom_heading text=”Strengthen your investor knowledge” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23424242″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned investor looking to hone your skills, continuous learning should always be a part of your investing journey. Check out the latest in-class Investing 101 courses held in Calgary and Edmonton.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Learn more” style=”custom” custom_background=”#c87057″ custom_text=”#ffffff” shape=”round” link=”url:%2Fresources%2Finvestment-courses-and-events%2F|||”][/vc_column][/vc_row]