Fraud Fighters: Sarah

Sarah, a recent college graduate, was eager to invest her first paycheck. She'd been following a popular investment influencer online who promised high returns with minimal risk. The influencer, with a luxurious lifestyle and seemingly in-depth knowledge of the stock market, enticed Sarah with exclusive access to "hot stocks."

Tempted, Sarah messaged the influencer, who directed her to a "brokerage firm" website. The website looked professional, but something felt off to Sarah.

She decided to verify the firm with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) website.

After a quick search, Sarah's heart sank. The firm wasn't registered with the SEC, a major red flag. Knowing this was likely a scam, Sarah reported the influencer's account to the social media platform and contacted the SEC to report the fake brokerage firm. She also reached out to a legitimate financial advisor her parents recommended, who helped her set up a safe and realistic investment plan.

While Sarah missed out on the allure of quick riches, she learned a valuable lesson. She realized the importance of researching investment opportunities thoroughly and never trusting financial advice from unverified sources. She decided to share her experience with her fellow graduates, stressing the importance of financial literacy and avoiding social media investment fads

Sarah J.
Graduate, Fraud Fighter

Learn about more ways ordinary people have fought fraud here.