Fraud Articles
That Unexpected Text Message Could Be a Scam
July 2026 by Charles Rotblut
Investment-related scams are currently some of the most highly reported scams. Find out how to protect yourself.
July 2026 by Charles Rotblut
Investment-related scams are currently some of the most highly reported scams. Find out how to protect yourself.
Detecting Earnings Manipulation With the M-Score
September 2023 by Messod D. Beneish
The eight variables in the M-Score model are designed to capture bloating or cosmetic changes made to a company’s financial statement numbers.
September 2023 by Messod D. Beneish
The eight variables in the M-Score model are designed to capture bloating or cosmetic changes made to a company’s financial statement numbers.
Protecting Yourself Online
July 2020 by Jess Sherman
There are basic steps you can take to recognize and help protect against the inevitable email and internet scams and attacks.
July 2020 by Jess Sherman
There are basic steps you can take to recognize and help protect against the inevitable email and internet scams and attacks.
What the SEC Is Doing for Individual Investors
June 2020 by Charles Rotblut, Lori J. Schock, Jay Clayton
The SEC chairman and education director address AAII members’ concerns in a wide-ranging discussion covering the volatile markets, investor scams, SEC initiatives and teaching your kids.
June 2020 by Charles Rotblut, Lori J. Schock, Jay Clayton
The SEC chairman and education director address AAII members’ concerns in a wide-ranging discussion covering the volatile markets, investor scams, SEC initiatives and teaching your kids.
Resources for Checking Out an Adviser or Broker
April 2020 by Ryan Reeh
You can find out a lot from a Google search, but BrokerCheck and the SEC’s IAPD databases are treasure troves of disclosure information on investment advisers and brokerage firms.
April 2020 by Ryan Reeh
You can find out a lot from a Google search, but BrokerCheck and the SEC’s IAPD databases are treasure troves of disclosure information on investment advisers and brokerage firms.
A Dozen Tax Scams to Avoid
December 2019 by Anine Sus
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released 12 scams that commonly target taxpayers during tax season and throughout the year.
December 2019 by Anine Sus
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released 12 scams that commonly target taxpayers during tax season and throughout the year.
Avoid Becoming a Victim of Investment Schemes
July 2019 by H. Kent Baker, Vesa Puttonen
The creative imaginations of con artists permit almost limitless ways to swindle investors. Your best line of defense is education and awareness.
July 2019 by H. Kent Baker, Vesa Puttonen
The creative imaginations of con artists permit almost limitless ways to swindle investors. Your best line of defense is education and awareness.
I Have Personally Been a Victim of Fraud
July 2019 by Charles Rotblut
This month’s issue discusses investment scams; the timing is ironic because recently my credit card’s information was stolen.
July 2019 by Charles Rotblut
This month’s issue discusses investment scams; the timing is ironic because recently my credit card’s information was stolen.
Active Traders, Not Novices, Fall for Scams
January 2019 by AAII Staff
Participants in pump-and-dump schemes tend to be middle-aged, affluent and male. They also have prior trading experience, particularly with penny stocks, and exhibit a high tolerance for risk.
January 2019 by AAII Staff
Participants in pump-and-dump schemes tend to be middle-aged, affluent and male. They also have prior trading experience, particularly with penny stocks, and exhibit a high tolerance for risk.
Tricking Investors With Merger-Related Accounting Shenanigans
June 2018 by Howard Schilit
Acquisitions give managers opportunities to artificially boost performance or hide past mistakes. Learn how to spot these shenanigans.
June 2018 by Howard Schilit
Acquisitions give managers opportunities to artificially boost performance or hide past mistakes. Learn how to spot these shenanigans.
Survey: 8% of Older Adults Are Victims of Financial Fraud
April 2018 by
A series of questions in the 2016 Health and Retirement Study (HRS) asked respondents over the age of 50 about financial victimization. (The median age was 68.) Eight percent reported to have fallen prey to at least one form of financial fraud within the past 12 months.
April 2018 by
A series of questions in the 2016 Health and Retirement Study (HRS) asked respondents over the age of 50 about financial victimization. (The median age was 68.) Eight percent reported to have fallen prey to at least one form of financial fraud within the past 12 months.
FINRA Proposes Suspending Withdrawals If Fraud Is Suspected
November 2015 by
New rules intended to protect seniors from financial fraud were proposed by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
November 2015 by
New rules intended to protect seniors from financial fraud were proposed by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
Five Warning Signs of Financial Fraud
July 2015 by
Since older Americans are often targets of investment fraud, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued an alert listing five “red flags” to look for.
July 2015 by
Since older Americans are often targets of investment fraud, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued an alert listing five “red flags” to look for.
The “Other” Costs of Financial Fraud
April 2015 by
Victims of financial fraud incur varying degrees of indirect and direct financial costs as a result of the criminal activity.
April 2015 by
Victims of financial fraud incur varying degrees of indirect and direct financial costs as a result of the criminal activity.
Using SEC Filings to Identify Risk Factors
June 2011 by Michelle Leder
Potential problems in companies can be identified before they wreck havoc with your portfolio by looking at SEC filings.
June 2011 by Michelle Leder
Potential problems in companies can be identified before they wreck havoc with your portfolio by looking at SEC filings.
Due Diligence: 10 Steps to Avoiding Ponzi Schemes and Financial Fraud
April 2009 by Karen C. Altfest
The uncovering of Bernie Madoff's Ponzi scheme, and the fraud committed by several other financial hucksters, highlights the importance of asking the right questions before selecting an advisor or participating in an investment. Ten questions to ask, and red flag warning signs of the potential for trouble.
April 2009 by Karen C. Altfest
The uncovering of Bernie Madoff's Ponzi scheme, and the fraud committed by several other financial hucksters, highlights the importance of asking the right questions before selecting an advisor or participating in an investment. Ten questions to ask, and red flag warning signs of the potential for trouble.