Montana Commissioner Stumps Against Fraud

Promises of high profits, low risks, and guaranteed returns may sound too good to resist to cash-strapped investors in a recovering economy, but Montanans struggling to avoid getting scammed don’t have to go it alone. Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance Monica Lindeen is hitting the road next week to help Montanans avoid investment and insurance traps and protect their hard earned money.

“Our fight against fraud never stops,” said Lindeen. “Each year, con artists plot new ways to cheat people out of their hard-earned savings. We know that the best kind of law enforcement is to prevent the crime in the first place. And that’s what the campaign is all about – giving Montanans the tools that they need to protect themselves from fraud.”

Lindeen today announced the kick-off of her consumer and investor education campaign titled “Montana Investor Awareness Campaign: Securities and Insurance Fraud – How to Smell a Rat.” The campaign, which began this week with a series of radio and television public service announcements, will culminate in a 7-city community seminar tour with stops in Lewistown, Circle, Sidney, Plentywood, Glasgow, Malta, and Havre during the week of September 28-October 2.

“Education and information are an investor’s best defense against investment fraud,” said Lindeen, who will be joined by experts from her office to provide information and answer questions.

The public service announcements are being provided to radio and television stations and local cable TV operators in north-central and eastern Montana. The PSAs can be viewed on the Commissioner of Securities and Insurance website at http://www.sao.mt.gov/fraudtour.asp.

Due to limited seating at each event, an RSVP is requested. To RSVP or to find out more about times and locations log onto http://www.sao.mt.gov/fraudtour.asp or call the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance at 1-800-332-6148.