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Find any page or article on CheckFirst as well as news releases, investor alerts, enforcement hearings, decisions and orders from the Alberta Securities Commission website.

Investing basics blog

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  • Finances
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  • investor protections

Enhancing investor protection: What OBSI’s binding authority means for investors

Imagine you notice unexpected fee charges in your investment account or feel your financial advisor has given you advice that resulted in unexpected losses. You first raise your concerns with your advisor, then escalate to their manager, but your issue remains unresolved. Frustrated, you turn to the Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments (OBSI), Canada’s independent dispute-resolution service. After a…
man smiling while checking his investments on laptop
  • Finances
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  • Investing basics

New to Canada? Here’s what you need to know before you start investing

Starting a new life in Canada brings new opportunities, including the chance to grow your money through investing. However, with a different financial system, unfamiliar products, and advice coming from all directions, it can be hard to know where to start. If you’re new to Canada, here’s what you need to know to make informed investment decisions and protect your…
Finfluencer man recording a video while pointing at a chart
  • Finances
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  • Investing basics
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  • investor protections

Investing in the age of apps and finfluencers: How to stay safe when finance is trending

Not long ago, learning the basics of investing felt like picking up a new language — one largely reserved for those with financial advisor. It was a world filled with jargon, confusing acronyms, and complex charts that seemed like they belonged in a boardroom. Not anymore. Social media and investing apps have changed the landscape. Financial information is now more…
  • Investing basics
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  • investor protections
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  • Types of investment scams

From text to pitch: How messaging apps have become a hotbed for investment scams

A polished social media ad and a friendly invite to an “investors” messaging group might seem like an exciting first step towards a lucrative financial opportunity. But wait, this could be the bait of a well-orchestrated scam. According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, in 2024, Canadians lost $310 million to investment fraud – with many scams taking place online, including…
son helping senior parent with finance
  • Seniors
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  • Types of investment scams

Protecting our seniors: How to prevent elder financial abuse

June is Seniors Month in Canada, a time to recognize the value, resilience, and continued contributions of older adults in our communities. It’s also an opportunity to talk about one of the fastest-growing threats to their well-being: elder financial abuse. According to the 2024 CSA Investor Index, 36 per cent of Canadians say they are aware of at least one…
woman reading etf and mutual fund fact sheet
  • Finances
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  • Investing basics

How to read a fund fact sheet: Navigating mutual funds and ETFs

April 2025 marked the most volatile month for markets since COVID, pushing investor anxiety to new highs, as many stocks and other investment assets rapidly decreased and increased in value. With inflation and global trade uncertainty on people’s minds, it is easy to feel anxious. In times like these, going back to the basics — like portfolio diversification — can…

Enhancing investor protection: What OBSI’s binding authority means for investors
Enhancing investor protection: What OBSI’s binding authority means for investors

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Find any page or article on CheckFirst as well as news releases, investor alerts, enforcement hearings, decisions and orders from the Alberta Securities Commission website.