Security News > 2021 > September > US SEC: Watch out for Hurricane Ida-related investment scams
The US Securities and Exchange Commission has warned investors to be "Extremely wary" of potential investment scams related to Hurricane Ida's aftermath.
This alert comes from SEC's Office of Investor Education and Advocacy, which regularly issues investor alerts to warn investors about the latest investment frauds and scams.
The SEC brought a number of enforcement actions against individuals and companies who made false and misleading statements about alleged business opportunities in light of damage caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005," the SEC warning reads.
To protect yourself from investment fraud attempts, you should ask anyone approaching you with an investment opportunity if they're licensed and if their investment is registered with the SEC or with a state.
Their answers can easily be checked before committing to an investment by reaching out to the SEC or your state securities regulator.
This alert comes after the FBI's New Orleans office issued two warnings in the last four days, alerting the public about an increased risk of fraudsters trying to capitalize on the Hurricane Ida natural disaster.