The Alabama Securities
Commission (ASC) provides this directory as part of its mission to
provide investor education and for fraud prevention. (Updated
November 7, 2014)
NOTE: ASC does not endorse, nor is it responsible for, any companies, products, or services featured at the web sites listed in this directory.
The Internet is a dynamic environment; sites and links can change, expire, or be moved at anytime. We have endeavored to
provide information that is current and accurate.
STATE OF ALABAMA WEBSITES:
Alabama Governor's Ofiicial Website
Alabama Attorney
General (http://http://www.ago.state.al.us/Page-Consumer-Protection)
- One of the Attorney General’s most important responsibilities is protecting Alabama consumers. If you have a consumer-related issue, you may contact the Attorney
General’s Consumer Protection Hotline at1-800-392-5658, or you may file an online complaint. This website has a wide array of information about identify
theft, credit card fraud, phone scams, how to get a free credit report, how to get on the do not call list and much more.
State of Alabama Banking Department
(http://www.banking.alabama.gov/) -
The Alabama Banking Department regulates all state chartered banks, trust companies, and various providers of consumer credit.
A primary objective of the Department is to assure the citizens of Alabama that state-chartered financial institutions providing
banking and other financial services are operated in a safe and sound manner.
Alabama Department of Insurance
(http://aldoi.gov/default.aspx)
- The Alabama Department of Insurance (ALDOI) serves Alabama citizens by regulating the insurance industry, providing consumer
protection, promoting market stability and enforcing fire safety standards and laws. The ALDOI offers a number of informative
consumer brochures online explaining many life and health topics of importance to Alabama citizens.
KEY
INVESTOR EDUCATION, FRAUD PREVENTION AND PERSONAL FINANCE INFORMATION
WEBSITES:
North American Securities
Administrators Association (NASAA) (http://www.nasaa.org)
- Organized in 1919, the North
American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) is the oldest
international organization devoted to investor protection. NASAA is a
voluntary association whose membership consists of 67 state, provincial,
and territorial securities administrators in the 50 states, the District
of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, and Mexico. In the United States,
NASAA is the voice of the 50 state securities agencies responsible for
efficient capital formation and grass-roots investor protection.
The ASC is an active member of
NASAA and recommends their website as an excellent source for investor
education and securities industry regulatory information.
*NEW*The North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) launched a new website in December 2015 designed to provide senior-focused resources to investors,
caregivers, industry and policymakers. The website is available at ServeOurSeniors.org
Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC)(http://www.sec.gov/investor.shtml)
- The mission of the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission is to protect investors, maintain fair, orderly, and
efficient markets, and facilitate capital formation. The SEC oversees
the key participants in the securities world, including securities
exchanges, securities brokers and dealers, investment advisors, and
mutual funds. Here the SEC is concerned primarily with promoting the
disclosure of important market-related information, maintaining fair
dealing, and protecting against fraud. The SEC's Office of Investor
Education and Advocacy provides a variety of services to address the
problems and questions faced by investors.
Office of Investor Education and Advocacy
(SEC)(https://www.sec.gov/oiea)
- The SEC offers you a variety of services to attend to the problems and
questions that you might have as an investor. They cannot advise you
as to what investments to make, but will be able to instruct you about
how to invest wisely and avoid frauds.
La SEC en Español: Información para los Inversionistas
(SEC)(https://www.sec.gov/investor/espanol.shtml)
- La Oficina de Educación y Asistencia a los Inversionistas (Office of Investor Education and Advocacy)
de la SEC le ofrece una variedad de servicios para atender los problemas y preguntas que usted pudiera
tener como inversionista. No podemos aconsejarle qué inversiones realizar, pero sí podremos instruirle
acerca de cómo invertir sabiamente y evitar los fraudes.
Financial Industry Regulatory
Authority (FINRA) (http://www.finrafoundation.org
)
- The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority
(FINRA), is the largest non-governmental regulator for all securities
firms doing business in the United States. Created in July 2007 through
the consolidation of the National Association of Securities Dealers
(NASD) and the member regulation, enforcement and arbitration functions
of the New York Stock Exchange, FINRA is dedicated to investor
protection and market integrity through effective and efficient
regulation and complementary compliance and technology-based services.
The FINRA Investor Education Foundation, formerly known as the NASD
Investor Education Foundation, supports innovative research and
educational projects that give investors the tools and information they
need to better understand the markets and the basic principles of saving
and investing.
FBI and National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C)
(www.IC3.gov) The IC3's mission is to receive, develop, and refer criminal complaints regarding
the rapidly expanding arena of cyber crime. The IC3 gives the victims of cyber crime a convenient and easy-to-use reporting mechanism
that alerts authorities of suspected criminal or civil violations. For law enforcement and regulatory agencies at the federal, state, local,
and international level, the IC3 provides a central referral mechanism for complaints involving Internet related crimes.
U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission ( www.cftc.gov) -
The mission of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is to protect market participants and the public from fraud,
manipulation, abusive practices and systemic risk related to derivatives – both futures and swaps – and to foster transparent, open,
competitive and financially sound markets.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
(www.consumerfinance.gov) - The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for consumer protection in the financial sector. Its
jurisdiction includes banks, credit unions, securities firms, payday lenders, mortgage-servicing operations, foreclosure relief
services, debt collectors and other financial companies operating in the United States. The CFPB's creation was
authorized by the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.
Federal Trade Commission
(FTC) (http://www.ftc.gov)
- The FTC enforces a variety of federal antitrust and consumer
protection laws. It seeks to ensure that the nation's markets function
competitively, and are vigorous, efficient, and free of undue
restrictions. The FTC also works to enhance the smooth operation of the
marketplace by eliminating acts or practices that are unfair or
deceptive. The FTC also offers valuable information to help consumers
avoid identity theft.
Social Security Administration (SSA) (http://www.socialsecurity.gov)
- If Social security taxes were taken from your earnings during your working career, Social Security entitlements may be an important
part of your financial plan and estate. This website has retirement calculators, answers to entitlement questions, opportunities to file
online for benefits, and further contact information.
United States Senate, Special Committee on Aging(
www.aging.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/217925 Fraud Book Final.pdf) - Fighting Fraud: U.S. Senate Aging Committee Identifies Top 10 Scams Targeting Our Nation’s Seniors
Council of Better Business Bureaus (BBB), Consumer Education (www.bbb.org/council/consumer-education/)
- Trust BBB ratings and reviews to help you make informed buying decisions. When you need assistance, BBB’s free
consumer services are offered across the U.S. and Canada, online and in person. Get the latest tips on how to spot
scams and more.
Investor Protection Trust (IPT) (http://www.investorprotection.org)
- The Investor
Protection Trust (IPT) provides independent, objective information
needed by consumers to make informed investment decisions. Founded in
1993 as part of a multi-state settlement to resolve charges of
misconduct, IPT’s charter consists of two major functions: serving as an
independent source of non-commercial investor education materials and
assisting in the prosecution of securities fraud. The ASC works with the
IPT to assist other agencies in Alabama to receive grants from IPT
settlement funds.
Alabama Jump$tart
(http://www.aljumpstart.org)
- The Alabama Jump$tart Coalition is comprised of over 200
organizations, government agencies, financial institutions, and
corporations. Working together we are able to join forces to improve the
personal financial literacy of Alabama's youth. ASC is an active
member, please visit this website to see some of the activities
benefiting the youth of Alabama.
National Jump$tart
(http://www.jumpstart.org
)
- Jump$tart's aim is to identify
high-quality personal finance materials for educational use. The
Clearing House (http://www.jumpstart.org/jump$tart-clearinghouse.html)
is a database of personal finance resources available from a variety of
education providers such as government, business and non-profit
organizations. Once you find a material of interest, you can order it
directly from the source. Many of the materials are low cost or free of
charge. Teachers often use these personal finance teaching materials to
support their state's standards in economics, business, math and family
and consumer science.
The Choose to Save® (CTS) Program
(www.choosetosave.org) - The Emmy and Telly award-winning Choose to Save®
national public education and outreach program is dedicated to raising awareness about the need to plan and save for
long-term personal financial security. As part of its mission, Choose to Save® develops user-friendly, multimedia materials to
help individuals plan and save for their financial future.
|