United Against Investment Fraud Because Every Investor Deserves Protection INSERT AGENCY LOGO HERE

Did you know… Protecting Your Retirement investment is your responsibility? United Against Investment Fraud: Because Every Investor Deserves Protection

Facts about U.S. Investors… Only one out of 100 American investors knows or puts into practice eight basic “investing secrets” and slightly more than a third—37%—get half or more of the fundamentals right —Investing Secrets Survey— Money Track and Investor Protection Trust conducted by Opinion Research Corporation (ORC) in United Against Investment Fraud: Because Every Investor Deserves Protection

(Excerpts courtesy 2007 IPT and Money Track Survey) United Against Investment Fraud: Because Every Investor Deserves Protection Facts about U.S. Investors… Only 1% of American investors appear to understand and/or put to use all 8 of the investing basics in the Investing Secrets Survey. The balance of investors fall into the following groups: – –59% (one-four correct answers); – –36% (five–seven correct answers); and – –4% of investors answered none of the secrets correctly. 47% of investors admit that they have never worked up a comprehensive financial plan with a financial professional. Over 61% of investors in households with income of $50,000 or less have no comprehensive financial plan in place. African American (59%) and Hispanic (57%) investors are among those most likely to have not developed such a plan.

Facts about U.S. Investors… About two out of five investors (39%) understand diversification is "balancing both risk and return in pursuit of financial returns.” Only a third of investors who use or have used a financial planner or stockbroker checked out the background of that person (or persons) with state, federal or industry regulators or self-regulators. Almost two out of five investors (37%) are relying on Social Security for “the biggest part” or “a fairly big part” of their retirement picture. Only 23% of college graduates are expecting to rely heavily on Social Security versus 51% of those with only a high school degree. (Excerpts courtesy 2007 IPT and Money Track Survey) United Against Investment Fraud: Because Every Investor Deserves Protection

Are you prepared? NASAA Members (INSERT local securities regulator) can help you! United Against Investment Fraud: Because Every Investor Deserves Protection

5 tips to prepare… 1. Develop a plan 2. Do your research 3. Do business with only registered investment professionals 4. Diversify your investment 5. Do regular follow up & be cautious on how you react to financial news. on how you react to financial news. United Against Investment Fraud: Because Every Investor Deserves Protection

1. Develop a plan Start to develop a plan that helps you reach your financial goals. Start to develop a plan that helps you reach your financial goals. Start to develop regular saving habits. Start to develop regular saving habits. Start to set a retirement goal. Start to set a retirement goal. “I intend to save ______ dollars starting _________ and increase this amount by 10% annually so I can retire at ______ years old with ______ monthly income.” Remember: Keep your plan simple to manage and measure. United Against Investment Fraud: Because Every Investor Deserves Protection

2. Do your research Check with your local state securities regulator Check with your local state securities regulator Go to: Contact your regulator NASAA offers free Investor NASAA offers free Investor Education materials INSERT HERE: Most state securities regulators offer free Investor Education materials and fraud prevention information. Remember: Investigate Before You Invest. United Against Investment Fraud: Because Every Investor Deserves Protection

3. Do business with registered investment professionals Call to check if your Securities Broker or Investment Adviser is registered to conduct business in your state. (INSERT state securities regulator contact) (INSERT state securities regulator contact) Go to: Go to: When you call, have the name of the firm, the individual’s first name, last name and middle initial (if available). Remember: “No license, no business.” United Against Investment Fraud: Because Every Investor Deserves Protection

4. Diversify your investments No investment performs well all the time; when one is down, another tends to be up. Here’s an example of a realistic range for investments: Stocks50%-80% Stocks50%-80% Bonds20%-40% Bonds20%-40% Cash10%-25% Cash10%-25% Remember: “You shouldn’t put all your eggs in one basket.” Source: Five Keys to Investing Success by the Editors of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine United Against Investment Fraud: Because Every Investor Deserves Protection

5. Do regular follow up Be sure to ask questions so you understand the investment process and the cost. Be sure to ask questions so you understand the investment process and the cost. Be sure to check your investment statements for unauthorized withdrawals or transactions. Be sure to check your investment statements for unauthorized withdrawals or transactions. United Against Investment Fraud: Because Every Investor Deserves Protection

5. Be Cautious on how You React to Financial News Successful investing is a long term and continual process that requires research and cautious calculated moves to meet changing objectives. Successful investing is a long term and continual process that requires research and cautious calculated moves to meet changing objectives. Many investors have severely damaged their investment portfolios by reacting to the financial news: Many investors have severely damaged their investment portfolios by reacting to the financial news: –Buying at the highest prices when the market is at its peak without doing proper research; and –Selling on the low, out of fear, when the news indicates severe economic downturns and problems. United Against Investment Fraud: Because Every Investor Deserves Protection

PROTECT YOUR RETIREMENT & CALL US: Securities Branches Call Compliance– check your broker(INSERT #) Enforcement– check for complaints Education– get more information “Protecting (INSERT STATE OR PROVINCE) Investors” United Against Investment Fraud: Because Every Investor Deserves Protection

“IT’S YOUR MONEY….. AND IT IS YOUR RIGHT TO PROTECT IT” United Against Investment Fraud: Because Every Investor Deserves Protection

For More Information contact: The North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) (202) (202) “Contact your local Securities Regulator” To Report Investment Fraud INSERT CONTACT FOR LOCAL SECURITIES AGENCY United Against Investment Fraud: Because Every Investor Deserves Protection