Invest in YourselfThe North American Securities Administrators Association presents:Overview What is the Women In Transition investor education program? How Does Investment Fraud Impact Women? How Can Women Protect Themselves from Investment Fraud? Where Can Women Go for Investment Help?Empowering women in transition with investor education to improve their financial futures.Women In Transition Investor Education Program Raises awareness of the emotional and socio- economic factors that may make women hesitant to take control of their investments Provides specifically tailored investor education tips and resources to empower women in phases of financial transition, including: Marriage College-bound Children Aging Parents Job Loss, Divorce or Widowhood RetirementEmpowering women in transition with investor education to improve their financial futures.Why Investor Education for Women In Transition? About 99% of women will be financially responsible for themselves or their families at some point (Wi$eUp) More women than ever before 40% serve as their households primary breadwinner (Wi$eUp) Many women still earn less than men for comparable workEmpowering women in transition with investor education to improve their financial futures.Why Investor Education for Women in Transition (continued) Women typically outlive men and must be financially prepared for a longer retirement Less than half of women have a retirement plan (Social Security Administration) Nearly 2/3 of women ages 40 to 79 have experienced a major financial transition such as divorce or job loss (AARP)Empowering women in transition with investor education to improve their financial futures.Women and Money Who is more financially confident women or men? Who is the typical investment scam victim? How can financial confidence affect your financial decision-making? What are some other emotional factors that may impact your relationship with money?Work-Life Balance, Gender Roles (Cinderella Complex), Risk Aversion and Fear, Emotional Highs and LowsEmpowering women in transition with investor education to improve their financial futures.Affinity FraudHow to Avoid Affinity Fraud Dont rely on reputations or personal relationships to make investment decisions Make sure you thoroughly understand the investment and risks Ask for professional advice from a neutral outside expert Ask your local state or provincial securities regulator for information on the salesperson and investment opportunityIn an affinity fraud, the con artist claims your trust because he or she is a member of the same ethnic, religious, career or community group.Empowering women in transition with investor education to improve their financial futures.Scams Targeting Women Gifting Clubs Women Helping Women Pyramid Schemes Cold CallsNetworks such as workplaces and churches can be fertile ground for scams targeting women, including:Empowering women in transition with investor education to improve their financial futures.Source: SEC“Casanova” FraudsterMichael Soutar Exclusively targeted women Previous conviction for aggravated assault and forgery Used investor funds for tailored suits and watches Indicted December 16, 2004 for securities fraud Escaped one day later Featured on “Americas Most Wanted” Captured May 2005 Locked up by the New Mexico Securities Division for 38 yearsEmpowering women in transition with investor education to improve their financial futures.Ponzi SchemesBeware of promises of high, guaranteed profits with little or no risk Avoid promoters who fail to provide clear explanations If you dont understand how the investment works, dont invest Ask for detailed information in writing Look for unbusiness-like conduct Request detailed information from your local securities regulator on the investment and promoterIn the early 1920s, Charles Ponzi fleeced investors of $10 million with the promise of a 40% return in just 90 days. The Ponzi Scheme is a house-of-cards swindle in which high returns are paid to initial investors out of the funds of later investors, who end up losing all or most of their money. Empowering women in transition with investor education to improve their financial futures.Other Common Scams Bait and Switch Commodities Precious metals, oil and gas “Free” Meal Seminars Unsuitable Investments Selling a 25-year annuity to an 85-year-old woman Bogus CredentialsEmpowering women in transition with investor education to improve their financial futures.Investigate Before You InvestIf it sounds too good to be true it probably is. Contact your local securities regulator to Check the registration of the promoter Make sure the investment is properly registered for sale in your state or province Obtain the background and disciplinary history of investment professionals If you think you are the victim of a scam report it to you