According to the FINRA Investor Education Foundation, 8 out of 10 seniors receive at least one "free lunch investment seminar" invitation each year. The invitations typically advertise an "educational workshop" where "nothing will be sold," during which attendees will be treated to an upscale lunch at a hotel, restaurant, retirement community or golf course while learning about investment "strategies" and products. "Free lunch seminars" are actually just group sales pitches.
For those investors who have already been a victim of fraudulent sales claims, an experienced securities/investment fraud attorney may be able to help you recover investment losses. For investors considering attending a seminar, a how-to video on createthegood.org (sponsored by AARP) recommends protecting yourself by asking several key questions before purchasing any investment product, including: Are you licensed to sell this product? Who are you registered with? Is this investment registered with the S.E.C.? If the presenter can't answer the questions or the answers don't check out, it's okay to walk away.
Get more information about free lunch seminars from former stockbroker and attorney at Meyer Wilson, Chad Kohler:
