When it comes to securing one’s financial future, one of the best ways to do so is through making wise investments that would guarantee substantial returns when you need it the most. However, not all investments are created equal, and some of them are just outright scams.
Scammers have gotten more creative and trickier, and these days, it can be difficult to tell a real investment opportunity from a fake. But there are several red flags that you can look out for to see if the investment is outright fraudulent.
Here are the warning signs that an investment is a scam.
It guarantees extremely high returns
According to Lifehack, no one can guarantee a specific return, unless they’re offering fixed-income products such as bonds or Certificates of Deposits. Moreover, if the company is promising to give you a high return on your investment, then you have every reason to be wary.
You’ve never heard of the company
If you get a cold call from a company that you’ve never heard of before, don’t get pressured into investing right away. Do your research and see if this company truly exists. Check if it has a physical address, and if it does, type the address on Google Streetview. You can also look for names of people connected to the company and Google them.
The person calling you claims to have a shared characteristic with you
According to Forbes, most people get scammed because a fellow Baptist, African-American, Asian, Mason, Rotarian, or any other talked them into investing. The media outlet says that this can be a tip-off to affinity fraud, wherein you let down your guard because you think you’re talking to a kindred spirit.
You’re being pressured to invest right away
Con artists will tell you to invest right away as this is a “one-time opportunity” and they usually don’t give you time to think about it. No person should ever be pressured to make a decision on the spot, so it’s best if you hang up or walk away if someone is forcing you to act fast.
For more, check out Jobs & Hire’s report on how to tell if an Internet job is a scam.
