Telephone Townhall Tips

The OSCOSC See Ontario Securities Commission.+ read full definition’s telephone townhalls are like a call-in radio show. We provide listeners with expert advice and answer your questions. It’s a way for the Investor Office to connect with you in the comfort of your own home.

During our telephone townhall we share lots of useful information. But you might not have had time to write it all down. That’s why we put together this handy reference.

Who to call if you are the victim of investment fraud

  • Ontario Securities CommissionOntario Securities Commission An independent Crown corporation that is responsible for regulating the capital markets in Ontario. Its mandate is to provide protection to investors from unfair, improper or fraudulent practices, to foster fair and efficient capital markets and confidence in capital markets, and to contribute to the stability of the financial system and the reduction of systemic…+ read full definition: 1-877-785-1555 or inquiries@osc.gov.on.ca
  • Your local police
  • The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: 1-888-495-8501

Websites to help you stay safe

Tips to help you avoid frauds

Always remember the 4 signs of fraud:

  1. High returns and low risk.
  2. Hot tipTip The sharing of important information about a company not known to the public.+ read full definition or insiderInsider Every director/senior officer of a reporting issuer; every director/senior officer of a company that is an insider or subsidiary of a reporting issuer; any person/company who owns or controls more than 10% of the voting securities of a reporting issuer.+ read full definition information.
  3. Pressure to buy now.
  4. Seller not registered to sell investments.

Keep an eye out for the ways fraudsters will try to trick you:

  • Grandparent scams – when someone contacts you pretending to be your grandchild and they need money urgently. They could also pretend to be a friend of a family member, a law enforcement official, or another family member, such as a niece or nephew, who needs help with quick cash to cover medical bills or bail or some other “emergency”.
  • Phishing – If you’re getting texts from seemingly legitimate sources asking you for personal information, it could be a phishingPhishing A type of fraud where a stranger poses as a trustworthy person or business to get your private information, such as passwords or credit card numbers. It is often done using email or an instant message.+ read full definition attempt. Phishing scams are increasingly common. Protect yourself by learning how to spot phishing attempts and other variations of this scamScam When someone tries to make money by misleading or tricking another person.+ read full definition.
  • Pump and dump scams – when you’re offered an incredible deal on a stockStock An investment that gives you part ownership or shares in a company. Often provides voting rights in some business decisions.+ read full definition. As the fraudster promotes the stock, more people buy and the price is driven up. Then the fraudster sells all of their stock. The value falls dramatically and investors are left with stock worth much less than what they paid.
  • Recovery room scams – when someone contacts you offering to help you get money back that you lost to a scam. Some scammers sell their victim’s contact details to other scammers. This second set of scammers pretend to be good guys who promise to help you get your money back — for a fee. Once the fee is paid, the scammer disappears, and you never see your money or the original amount you lost.
  • Romance scams – when someone plays on your emotions to build trustTrust An account set up to hold assets for a beneficiary. A trustee manages the assets until the beneficiary reaches legal age.+ read full definition and then asks for money for an investmentInvestment An item of value you buy to get income or to grow in value.+ read full definition opportunity or emergency and promises they’ll pay you back.
  • Affinity fraud – when you’re contacted through a group you belong to by a fraudster who tries to gain your trust. They may volunteer with the group, attend social events for that particular group and may build relationships with group leaders to gain acceptance and endorsement.
  • Red flags of crypto fraud – investing in crypto assets may sound intriguing but make sure you know the red flags of crypto fraud.

Tips to fraud proof your life

Resources for helping you make smart investment choices

Other organizations mentioned during the telephone townhall

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