Don’t fall for the pitch! Avoid investment scams – National Consumers League

May 1, 2008

Washington, DC – Free seminars are a popular way to promote investment and insurance products. After the meal, the so-called “experts” urge folks to trade in their current investments for the product being pitched. Testimonials are glowing; the charts and handouts are impressive. But don’t fall for the pitch! This month, the National Consumers League is helping consumers differentiate between legitimate and fraudulent offers of investment opportunities this month in the National Consumers League’s “2008 Consumer Calendar: Do We Have Tips for You!”

NCL offers a listing of red-flag pitches that should cause a consumer to take the money and run from the seminar, including:

“Your profit is guaranteed!”

“Your money is always 100% available!”

“This offer is only available today!”

The nation’s oldest consumer advocacy organization, NCL works to educate people about how to make wise decisions in today’s marketplace. Each month, NCL’s Web site, www.nclnet.org, will feature the calendar and tips for the month. Covering a range of subjects from medication safety, to avoiding scams, the tips are sponsored by major companies, government agencies, and organizations. The May tips about debit cards were sponsored by AARP.

The print version of the calendar was distributed to consumers free of charge through agencies and organizations around the country. There are no printed copies of the calendar remaining.

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About the National Consumers League
Founded in 1899, the National Consumers League is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Its mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. NCL is a private, nonprofit membership organization. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.