To launch Fraud Prevention Month in March, the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) is encouraging investors to protect themselves from investment fraud by asking the right questions before they invest.

“A recent CSA survey indicated that two in five Canadians have been approached with what they believe to be an investment fraud in the past three years,” says Jean St-Gelais, chairman of the CSA and president & CEO of the Autorité des marchés financiers. “We believe that investor education is the best defence on how to recognize and avoid potentially fraudulent investments.”

To avoid fraud or making an unsuitable investment, the CSA suggests investors should ask these questions before making an investing decision:

> Do you know who you’re dealing with?

> Do you know what you’re investing in?

> Do you know your investment goals?

> Do you know the red flags that could signal a fraud?

> Do you know who to call for help?

Investors can visit the CSA website at www.csa-acvm.ca, to learn more about these topics and how they can avoid investment fraud.

The CSA is also joining forces with the Fraud Prevention Forum in promoting March 2008 as Fraud Prevention Month. As a Fraud Prevention Forum
partner, the CSA joins more than 90 private sector firms, consumer and volunteer groups, and government and law enforcement agencies that are committed to educating the public and fighting fraud targeted at consumers and businesses. Throughout the month of March, these organizations will be involved in a number of national, regional and local activities supporting fraud prevention.