Investors
Check Your Investment Professional
Investment Professional Search
Investment professionals are divided into two basic categories, brokers (agents) of a broker-dealer and investment adviser representatives of an investment adviser. The websites listed below offer information about these investment professionals that an investor might find helpful, such as:
- Civil judgments
- Criminal history
- Employment history
- Liens
- Material disclosures relating to customer complaints
- Regulatory actions
- Whether the individual is registered in a given jurisdiction
Research Resources
- Broker-Dealer & Agent Search – Obtain information on broker-dealers and brokers (agents).
- Investment Adviser Search – Obtain information on investment advisers and investment adviser representatives.
If your investment professional does not appear under either of these websites, the individual may be an insurance agent marketing insurance products as investments. If so, please utilize the Kansas Department of Insurance’s Company Search tool.
Assistance
If, after conducting a search, you need assistance in interpreting the information you found or you cannot find the individual or company listed, you may call our staff for further assistance.
Best Practices for Investing
Educate Yourself
No matter your level of investment knowledge or if you rely on the advice of an investment professional, you must continually devote time to educate yourself on investment opportunities presented to you. You should ask questions, read the offering prospectus and product brochures, and conduct your own research. You should understand costs, such as sales charges, redemption penalties, margin interest, account fees for setup and termination, and any annual fees. You should also make sure you understand the level of volatility in your investments and how each investment fits together as part of your overall diversified portfolio.
Five Keys to Investing Success
Getting Help With Your Investments
Maximize Your Retirement Investments
Have a Financial Plan
You must have a financial plan that is reasonable based on your current and future personal financial needs and goals. Your investments should be chosen on the basis of your investment knowledge and individual time horizon. Do not invest in products that you do not understand. You must revisit your plan periodically to determine what, if any, adjustments need to be made.
Investment Professional
If you enlist the aid of a investment professional, you should understand the extent of the services offered as well as all charges associated with the service. You should always conduct a background search on the company and investment professional to determine if there is any material information that would prevent you from engaging them.
Monitor Your Investments
You must review each account statement for activity. You should address in writing any unauthorized activity immediately to the home office of the company. You should meet periodically with your individual investment professional to review your account and review all recommended changes in investments.
Investor Education
The goal of the investor education program is to provide Kansans of all ages with prerequisite information about investing as well as standard practices investors should expect when working with a registered investment adviser representative or agent of a broker-dealer. Having a basic understanding of investment products and an awareness of the responsibilities industry professionals have to their clients is key to gaining confidence about investing. This due diligence is essential to protecting your nest egg against fraud and for creating enduring wealth for your family.
Smart Invest KS
Smart Invest KS is an investor education initiative that aims to empower Kansans to take control of their finances and make informed decisions about investing. The program provides resources, workshops, and information to help individuals build their financial knowledge and protect themselves from investment fraud and scams.
Seniors
As we age, it becomes increasingly important to protect our financial well-being. Seniors are often targeted by scammers and fraudsters due to their perceived vulnerability, making them more susceptible to financial abuse. According to a study by the Investor Protection Trust, one in every five Americans over the age of 65 has been victimized by financial fraud.
Elder financial abuse can take many forms, including fraudulent investment schemes, identity theft, and deceptive scams. These crimes can have devastating effects, not only on the financial stability of seniors but also on their emotional and physical well-being. In many cases, seniors may not even realize they have been victimized, or they may feel ashamed to report it.
Investor education plays a crucial role in preventing elder financial abuse. By learning how to recognize and avoid common scams, seniors can protect themselves and their assets. Caregivers also play a vital role in this effort, as they often oversee the financial affairs of their elderly loved ones. Educating caregivers about the signs of financial abuse can help them take proactive steps to protect their loved ones from exploitation.
Preventing elder financial abuse and fraud is a key focus of the Kansas Department of Insurance’s investor education efforts. Through educational workshops, resources and outreach programs, we aim to empower seniors to safeguard their savings and investments.
The North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) has helpful resources, contacts and training materials meant to aid senior investors, federal and state agencies and the financial services industry.
Request a speaker from our organization to empower your community with valuable insights on preventing elder financial abuse and investment fraud.
Military Service Members
Military service members, and their families, are often targeted by scammers due to the unique challenges they face, such as frequent relocations and deployments.
The Kansas Department of Insurance and its partners provide specialized investor education materials tailored to the needs of military families, offering practical advice and resources to help them make informed financial decisions and avoid falling victim to deceptive schemes. Through these efforts, we aim to empower military service members and their families with the knowledge and tools they need to safeguard their financial well-being.
Military Guide to Money and Investing
NASAA’s Investor Education Resources for Military Servicemembers
Contact
Kansas Department of Insurance
1300 SW Arrowhead Rd.
Topeka, KS 66604
Phone: 785-296-3071
Consumer Hotline: 800-432-2484
Email: KDOI@ks.gov