5 ways how OFWs can protect themselves from investment scams
Have you ever been duped or lured of investing your hard-earned money as an OFW by promising high returns in an unscrupulous financial investment scheme? If yes, sad to say, you are not alone as more and more OFWs have fallen prey into numerous fraud transactions. Needless to say, these investment scams eventually exploit the trust and friendship among people who have something in common — to generate high yield returns. Are there practical tips on how to protect yourself from investment scams? The answer is yes.
However, you have to bear in mind that being financially literate is the best weapon against fraud or investment scams. Below are helpful tips about five ways how to spot investment scams so that you will be guided with your financial decisions in the future.
Read: How To Invest In The Stock Market And Mutual Funds Using Strategic Averaging Method (SAM)
- Educate yourself and understand the business model
It is not enough to have good intentions like growing your wealth or helping someone in the business. If you want to be successful in your financial investment journey, one of the most important things to remember is to educate yourself and understand the business model before making any financial decisions.
If the company has a vague investment methodology and failed to explain how you will possibly generate returns, chances are it is a scam. Don’t make a decision until you empower yourself and you’ve thought about it a hundred times over.
- Promise of high return in a short period of time
Just like planting a tree, one fundamental principle of acquiring wealth is its being built over a period of time. In other words, there is no such thing as being an instant millionaire in a short span of investing. The reason why many people are being tempted to invest their money is that they are blinded with promising rewards or potential high returns.
Remember, when greed controls your emotion, lapse of financial judgment occurs. When you have been promised of exorbitant returns and you think the offer is too good to be true, you’ve got to be cautious and think twice.
- Investment company has a good reputation and leaders have integrity
While it is true that most investment vehicle has certain risks, it is worth to pay attention about the credibility of the leaders and the investment company itself. Check out everything — no matter how trustworthy the person seems who brings the investment opportunity to your attention.
The proven track record of the leaders or founder including his past performance indicates the integrity of the company. If people involved have record of unethical fraud practices, you should be wary and seek advice from experts. Do your homework and learn more about people and the investment company before it’s too late.
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- Earning money without product movement or services
When you decide to invest in any financial investment vehicle, make sure there is an outright product or services being received. Fraudulent investment scheme, needless to say, has emphasis solely on recruiting new distributors, not the products. Be cautious about people who are trying to persuade you to invest without certain products or services involved.
As a new investor, scam usually happens when people tried to use your money to compensate investment fund for other old investors. When the company has come to a point of no recruits or referrals, it will eventually collapse as the company solely depends their operation from the fund they are getting from new clients or investors.
- Approval or recognition from the government
It is essential to know if the company is regulated by the government and ensure they have permit to operate. In the Philippines, for instance, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued public advisories and warnings over fraudulent investment scheme and has the jurisdictions or regulates over all companies and corporations regarding unethical or pertinent violations. In some occasions, the Philippine embassy is giving a written advisory or warning to the Filipino community so you will be aware.
It’s important to know whether an investment entity is in good standing and allowed by the government to solicit investments. To avoid being scammed, financial education is a must so you will be more cautious where to put your hard-earned money as an OFW.
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This article was first published at GMA News
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