October is Investor Education Month, and the Alberta Securities Commission (ASC) is launching a campaign to educate the public about investment fraud and the ASC resources available investors can use to protect themselves from becoming a victim.

According to a recent ASC survey of Albertans, about 30 per cent believe they have been approached with a potentially fraudulent investment. In addition to this, only one quarter of Albertans have ever checked into the background of a person selling or offering them investments.

The most common ways people are introduced to suspected fraudulent investments are via spam email (30 per cent) and through a friend, neighbour, co-worker or family member (28 per cent).

To launch the campaign, the ASC will hold a special ‘Trick or Treat’ event in Edmonton Tuesday, where ASC representatives will provide information about how to protect against investment fraud “tricks,” as well as handing out Halloween treats.

The ‘Trick or Treat’ event is part of a broader ASC campaign through March 2015 aimed at heightening awareness among Albertans of the “red flags” of investment fraud, as well as the free ASC resources and tools available to the public to help them improve their investment knowledge. A key element of the campaign is the ASC’s CheckFirst.ca website, which provides helpful tips to avoid a fraudulent or unsuitable investment.

“In investing, knowledge is power – there is no better tool to prevent being “tricked” by fraudsters than education and research,” said Alison Trollope, director, communications and investor education. “Many people feel alone when investing. We want them to know that the ASC has resources available to help them make informed investment decisions and protect their financial future.”