Montana State Auditor, Matt Rosendale, says fear and uncertainty in the market can leave investors vulnerable to scams.
He advises Montanans to follow these tips:
- Never accept any investments that are "guaranteed." Investments are never guaranteed.
- If someone offers an investment that is only available for a short period of time, that is also a scam.
- Ask for a registration number. You can confirm if a person is legitimate by having their number checked by the Montana State Auditor’s office.
“Con artists and scam artists across the country will take advantage of any emergency to try and line their own pockets with extra money. Anything that they see, a disruption in the marketplace, gives them an opportunity to take advantage of folks that are looking for a better rate of return,” says Matt Rosendale, the Montana State Auditor.
If you are or know someone being scammed, you are urged to contact the Montana State Auditor’s office.