The adage "If it seems too good to be true, it probably is" has never been more true. Scammers are using every possible communication platform to try to trick unsuspecting investors out of their hard-earned assets. Phone calls, text messages, social media posts, and messaging platforms are all used to defraud investors.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has released a helpful article about the language used in actual fraud cases that they have seen. Sadly, fraudsters take advantage of the fact that most investors will be courteous when someone contacts them. Even though it goes against the nature of most people, they advise: "Don't Answer! Hang Up! Delete!"
Read the article here:
Unsolicited Investment Pitches: Don’t Answer! Hang Up! Delete!
The SEC has also developed a helpful anti-fraud campaign to teach investors how to recognize red flags of fraud:
SEC Fraud Training Program
Schock, L. (2025, March 3). Unsolicited Investment Pitches: Don't Answer! Hang Up! Delete! U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. https://www.investor.gov/additional-resources/spotlight/directors-take/unsolicited-investment-pitches-dont-answer-hang-delete
https://www.investor.gov/additional-resources/spotlight/howeytrade