The B.C. Securities Commission is stepping up its efforts to warn British Columbians about investment frauds and scams with a week-long campaign of free investor education seminars throughout the Okanagan region.

“We strongly believe that it is important for people to be warned about investment scams and to get tips on how to avoid falling prey to these scams,” said BCSC Chair Doug Hyndman, in a news release “To do that, we are taking our popular seminar ‘Investigate before you invest’ to people throughout B.C.”

Beginning next week, representatives from the securities commission will be concentrating their efforts in the Okanagan region, providing free seminars in Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton and Salmon Arm.

The seminars will show people how to protect themselves and their investments from frauds and unscrupulous salespeople. Learn how to identify an investment scam, how to check out the background of a financial adviser and how to determine if an investment is suitable for your circumstances.

As part of the Okanagan campaign, BCSC representatives will be participating in the 11th Annual Seniors’ Symposium at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre on Wednesday, Oct 9, providing two investor education workshops for attendees as well as answering investor concerns and questions at their booth. The Okanagan seminars will be hosted in partnerships with the Seniors’ Foundation of B.C. and Vernon and District Credit Union.

The commission has scheduled over 45 investor education seminars throughout the province this fall.