Whether you are new to investing, near retirement or somewhere in between, it is critical to check out both the financial professional and the securities product before making an investment. Being a well-informed investor is the best protection against making an unsuitable investment or becoming a victim of investment fraud. Often we learn that an investment scam or other problem could have been avoided if the investor had first checked on the registration and background of the salesperson before handing over their money.

To offer securities or investment advice in Wisconsin, the salesperson and firm must be registered or exempt from registration. To verify someone’s registration status, call the Division of Securities at (608) 266-2139 or go to Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) BrokerCheck​. For additional information, refer to Working with Financial Professionals​. 

​Wisconsin Investor Guide - The division developed this easy-to-use resource packed with strategies for investing wisely and avoiding financial fraud.

The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) regularly posts information of interest to Wisconsin consumers and investors on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Please follow the DFI’s social media pages to receive notifications.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has a website devoted to investor education: SEC Investor.gov

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) provides oversight to securities brokerage firms and offers investor education resources: FINRA For Investors

The North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), the national organization of state securities regulators, also includes various investor education resources on its website: NASAA Investor Education​​