What to Do When Suspecting a Scam

Before You Invest

Prior to making any investment, it is essential to verify whether the firm you intend to work with is authorized by the appropriate national regulatory authority. These entities are responsible for licensing and supervising firms to conduct specific financial activities and offer investment services. Since complaint resolution processes and investor compensation mechanisms differ by jurisdiction, it’s important to understand your rights under the regulatory framework where the firm is registered.

Investor Warnings and Alerts

Financial regulators frequently publish alerts regarding firms that are operating without the proper authorization to provide investment services. These warnings are typically available on the websites of the relevant regulatory bodies. The GFSA Investor Alerts Portal offers centralized access to warnings issued by GFSA members concerning firms that provide investment services without being authorized in their respective jurisdictions. However, this portal should not be considered a complete directory of all such warnings from GFSA members.

When You Suspect a Scam

If you suspect fraudulent activity—such as unauthorized investments, Ponzi schemes, or high-pressure sales tactics—you can search the GFSA Investor Alerts Portal for related warnings. Nonetheless, the absence of a warning in the portal does not imply that a firm is legitimate. You should always contact your national regulatory authority to confirm whether the firm in question is authorized to provide investment services. For a list of GFSA members and their contact details, refer to the section “About GFSA > GFSA Membership.”

Also, be aware of false correspondence that appears to originate from GFSA. The organization has issued a specific warning regarding such deceptive letters.