Red Flags of Fraud (2024)

To stay on guard and avoid becoming drawn into a scam, look for the warning signs of investment fraud:

  • Guarantees: Be suspect of anyone who guarantees that an investment will perform a certain way or promises a lofty return. All investments carry some degree of risk.
  • Unsolicited offers: Don’t respond to unsolicited cold calls, emails, junk mail, late-night commercials or infomercials, or social media posts that are either overly attractive or fear-inducing. These are all common tactics scammers use to entice you to engage.
  • Unregistered products: Many investment scams involve unlicensed or unregistered individuals selling unregistered securities—ranging from stocks, bonds, notes or hedge funds to oil and gas deals or fictitious instruments, such as prime bank investments. Scammers might even claim the investment is exempt from registration, which, even if true, raises the risks immensely.
  • Overly consistent returns: Any investment that consistently goes up month after month—or that provides remarkably steady returns regardless of market conditions—should raise suspicions, especially during turbulent times. Even the most stable investments can experience hiccups once in a while.
  • Complex strategies: Avoid anyone who credits a highly complex investing technique for unusual success. Legitimate professionals should be able to explain clearly what they're doing. It's critical that you fully understand any investment you’re seriously considering—including what it is, what the risks are and how the investment makes money.
  • Missing documentation: If someone tries to sell you a security with no documentation—that is, no prospectus in the case of a stock or mutual fund, and no offering circular in the case of a bond—they might be selling unregistered securities. The same is true of stocks without stock symbols.
  • Account discrepancies: Unauthorized trades, missing funds or other problems with your account statements could be the result of a genuine error—or they could indicate churning or fraud. Keep an eye on your account statements to make sure account activity is consistent with your instructions, and be sure you know who holds your assets. For instance, is the investment professional also the custodian of your assets? Or is there an independent third-party custodian? It can be easier for fraud to occur if an investment professional is also the custodian of the assets and keeper of the accounts.
  • A pushy salesperson: No reputable investment professional should push you to make an immediate decision about an investment or tell you that you’ve got to “act now.” If someone pressures you to decide on a stock sale or purchase, steer clear. Even if no fraud is taking place, this type of pressuring is inappropriate.

You can also use our Scam Meter to help spot red flags of investment fraud.

Red Flags of Fraud (1)Play the Game, Learn the Tactics
Think you know all the clever persuasion tactics con artists use to defraud consumers? Sharpen your skills in the fictional town of Shady Acres in this interactive strategy game from the FINRA Foundation and the D2D Fund. Play online at ConEmIfYouCan.org or download to your mobile device from the app stores (search "Con Em").

Red Flags of Fraud (2024)

FAQs

What are red flags check fraud? ›

That section can emphasize typical check fraud schemes and warning signs. Some common warning signs include: A check that does not have a MICR line at the bottom. A routing code in the MICR line that does not match the address of the drawee financial institution.

What are the red flags fraud triangle? ›

The Red Flag emoji 🚩, officially known as Triangular Flag, depicts a triangular red flag on a pole. Because a triangular red flag is often used to signal danger, this emoji is commonly used to refer to dangerous situations or to warn people of bad ideas or potential problems.

What are red flags that fraud is in progress? ›

An unusual number of recently established credit relationships; A material change in the use of credit, especially with respect to recently established credit relationships; or. An account that was closed by a financial institution or creditor for cause or identified for abuse of account privileges.

What are the red flags of a scammer? ›

Unsolicited offers: Don't respond to unsolicited cold calls, emails, junk mail, late-night commercials or infomercials, or social media posts that are either overly attractive or fear-inducing. These are all common tactics scammers use to entice you to engage.

What gives evidence of fraud? ›

Texts or e-mails from the person that reveal they knew the statement to be false are usually the most effective type of proof, but you can also obtain testimony from third parties. Without such clear proof of the speaker's actual knowledge, your fraud claim will run into a brick wall.

What are the general fraud indicators? ›

General Fraud Indicators

Management override of key controls. Inadequate or weak internal controls. No written policies and procedures. Overly complex organizational structure.

What is a red flag indicator? ›

What are red flag indicators? Red flag indicators signal criminal activity. Companies need to establish policies and procedures to ensure their ability to detect and report red flags to respective authorities in a timely manner.

What are the fraud triangle keywords? ›

The fraud triangle consists of three components: (1) Opportunity, (2) Incentive, and (3) Rationalization. Fraud refers to the deception that is intentional and caused by an employee or organization for personal gain.

What is the basic fraud triangle? ›

Essentially, the three elements of the Fraud Triangle are: Opportunity, Pressure (also known as incentive or motivation) and Rationalization (sometimes called justification or attitude). For fraud to occur, all three elements must be present.

What are the five factors of fraud? ›

What are the 5 elements of fraud?
  • You provided a false statement as a material fact. ...
  • You knew the information was incorrect. ...
  • You intended to deceive the victim. ...
  • The victim relied on your false statement. ...
  • They suffered damage as a result of relying on your knowingly false information.
May 21, 2024

What are green flags in fraud? ›

Green flags in credit card usage refer to spending by cardholders who exhibit positive purchasing behavior, someone who follows and respects your card program's policies. On the other hand, red flags signal a risk of wasteful spending or potential fraud.

Which of the following are warning signs of fraud? ›

10 Warning Signs of Fraud
  • You've "won a prize," or "a prize has been reserved for you."
  • You've been "selected to receive" a special offer.
  • You must "act immediately" or lose your chance for a special offer.
  • You must spend money to "reserve your free gift" or "pay for shipping for your gift."

What are red flags of possible suspicious activity? ›

Other actions that are considered AML red flags in terms of suspicious transactions include large cash payments, unexplained third-party transactions, the use of multiple accounts, or the use of foreign bank accounts or virtual wallets, especially if they originate from diverse jurisdictions.

What are genuine red flags? ›

What are examples of red flags? Red flags in relationships are warning signs that indicate unhealthy or manipulative behavior. Examples include controlling behavior, lack of respect, love bombing, and emotional or physical abuse.

How do you outwit a scammer? ›

  1. Do not make any decisions in the moment. ...
  2. Hang up if you are feeling pressured. ...
  3. Do not share any personal or financial information (your social security number, checking account information, etc.). ...
  4. Ask for their name and the name of the business/organization. ...
  5. Ask for additional information to be mailed to you.

What are the red flags for payment fraud? ›

Fraud indicators related to false, inflated, or duplicate invoices include, but are not limited to: Missing or copied purchase order or receiving documentation for invoiced goods/services. Submission of other than original or verified invoices. Invoice payment is a round number or is unusual in its circ*mstances.

What are the red flags of check kiting? ›

Red Flags of Check Kiting

Unusually excessive balance inquiries – kiters monitor their balances closely to watch for kited checks to clear. High numbers of checks written from the same account holder between accounts at different banks. Significant volumes of insufficient funds transactions.

What is a red flag check? ›

What does a Red Flag mean in a Background Check? A red flag in a background check is anything alarming or concerning about a person's past. This could be a history of breaking the law, lying about work experience or education, or other serious issues.

What is a red flag for suspicious transactions? ›

Payment received in account, not matched with goods shipped or trade-based money laundering. Unexpected repayment of overdue credit amount. Transaction inconsistent with customer's business profile. Deposit or transfer of funds without any specific justification.

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