SEC Scam

Econintersect:  No, the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) is not a scam, nor are they conducting or promoting any scams.  But someone (or several entities) are trying to conduct scams while claiming to be the SEC.  Recently there has been a scam that involves e-mail from someone representing to be the SEC Office of the Whistleblower.  The e-mail requests that the recipient click on a link provided to supply information that could avoid an investigation.  The link leads to “malicious software,” according to a message posted on the SEC website.

From the SEC Website:

Warning on Bogus E-Mail Purporting to be from SEC Office of the Whistleblower

Investors should beware of a bogus e-mail purporting to be from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Office of the Whistleblower. The e-mail is not from the SEC, and contains a link to malicious software.

The SEC has received numerous calls in the past day from individuals who have received the e-mail, which reads:

Dear customer, Securities and Exchange Commission Whistleblower office has received an anonymous tip on alleged misconduct at your company, including Material misstatement or omission in a company’s public filings or financial statements, or a failure to file Municipal securities transactions or public pension plans, involving such financial products as private equity funds. Failure to provide a response to this complaint within 14 day period will result in Securities and Exchange Commission investigation against your company. You can access the complaint details in U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Tips, Complaints, and Referrals portal under the following link:

The SEC’s Office of the Whistleblower is real; the e-mail is a hoax. This week, the SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy issued an updated Investor Alert warning about fraudsters posing as government officials.

The Investor Alert on government impersonators is here:

• http://www.sec.gov/investor/alerts/impersonator.pdf

Information on the SEC’s Office of the Whistleblower is here:

• http://www.sec.gov/whistleblower

John Lounsbury

Source: Securities and Exchange commission website