Publications & Resources

The following investor education booklets are available free of charge from the Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine, the Investor Protection Trust, American Library Association and the Virginia Division of Securities and Retail Franchising.

Additional Investor Education Resources by Category:

  • Investing Basics: Bonds (SEC)
  • SEC Publications: Bonds (SEC)
  • Smart Bond Investing (FINRA)
  • Investing in Bonds: Overview  (Project Invested)
    • Project Invested is a rich resource for people at every point on the investing spectrum. Whether you are just beginning to think about investing in bonds or you are a seasoned investor, this site can answer your questions and provide you with the tools you need to invest in the bond market. The site includes bond basics, what you should know about bonds, strategies, bonds for your stage of life, buying and selling bonds, types of bonds including municipal, government, corporate and high yield, and bond markets.

The Division of Securities and Retail Franchising conducts outreach initiatives to educate Virginia investors.  Similarly, organizations like the SEC’s Office of Investor Education, the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), the Investor Protection Trust (IPT) and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) provide a variety of educational online resources for investors.
 
Please take a minute to view the videos below from the above-referenced organizations to learn unbiased information on investment decisions to protect yourself from securities fraud or abuse.

Gen Z & MILLENNIALS

Investomania:
Sometimes investing may look and feel like a game. The SEC’s “Investomania” public service campaign uses a game show concept to educate investors in a playful way that investing is not a game and that they should do their due diligence when making investment decisions. Bottom line - don’t play games with your financial future.

Learn how to spot a Fraudulent Investment and its Red Flags 

Get in the Know
 
Use Caution with Celebrity Endorsements

MIDDLE OF THE ROAD: GEN X

Investments involving Crypto Assets
If you are considering an investment opportunity involving crypto assets, you may be wondering if it is legal, if it is right for you, or even whether it might be a scam. Those who are offering crypto-asset related investments or services may not be operating in compliance with applicable law.
 
Use Caution with Celebrity Endorsements
 
MoneyTrack, Money for Life
MoneyTrack is a thirteen-part educational television series created for public television by the Investor Protection Trust with support from state securities regulators. The series features real people dealing with real financial and investment issues. MoneyTrack, Money for Life asks the four key questions every person who wants a secure retirement needs to have the answers to.
  
SENIOR INVESTORS
 
ServeOurSeniors.org
Serve Our Seniors is an initiative of the North American Securities Administrators Association, the voice of state and provincial securities regulators. Senior financial exploitation causes the loss of millions of dollars each year. In this short video, you will hear the stories of some of those affected by this conduct. 
 
Ways to Avoid Investment Fraud
Investment fraudsters often target older people, whom they view as more trusting than younger generations, less likely to say "no," and more apt to have tappable assets after a lifetime of working.

ANYONE & EVERYONE
 
Short Clips to Expand your Securities Knowledge