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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

person holding a phone and in a group chat that may be a scam
  • Investing basics
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  • Investor protections
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  • Types of investment scams

Ramp-and-dump scams: How they work and how to spot them before you invest

Fraudsters are getting bolder and more sophisticated. Across Canada, regulators are seeing a surge in ramp‑and‑dump scams, a new twist on pump-and-dump scams. In the end, scammers walk away with profits, and everyday investors are left with losses. If you use messaging apps like WhatsApp, Discord or Telegram, or spend time on platforms such as Instagram or Facebook, you may…
green sprouts growing out from coins
  • Finances
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  • Investing basics

This Spring, Review Your Investments

Spring often inspires us to start fresh. We clear winter gear out of closets, sweep out the garage, grease up bicycle chains and start planning our gardens. As you take on these tasks with a jump in your step, be sure to dust off your finances—they deserve a seasonal reset too. Whether you are brand new to investing or have…
female investor receiving a suspicious call
  • Investing basics
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  • Investor protections
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  • Types of investment scams

What Fraud Prevention Month means for Alberta investors

It often starts in a way that feels harmless. A quick message from a “friend.” A direct message that looks professional and familiar. A post from what looks like a legitimate firm. The opportunity being presented sounds safe, and the returns seem steady, but then the pressure starts, and there is a sense of urgency to act now or miss…
young investor sitting at home looking at her mobile investment app and hovering over the invest button on screen
  • Finances
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  • Investing basics

When you invest, do you know how it’s taxed?

Every spring, as Canadians file their taxes and returns, or when balances owing are issued, many people take a closer look at where their money is going. That’s when familiar questions pop up: Why do I owe tax on some investments and not others? Why does investment income show up differently from employment income? The short answer is: your income,…
magnifying glass on fraud
  • Investing basics
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  • Investor protections
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  • Types of investment scams

Top investment scams to watch for in Alberta in 2026: How AI-driven scams are shaping investment fraud

Each year brings with it new investing trends, platforms and opportunities. And with any exciting or top-of-mind trend or event comes an often-overlooked risk: Fraudsters. They are also paying close attention to the next big thing that can make their scams more attractive. As more Canadians, especially younger investors, rely on digital tools to guide their decisions, investment scams and…
young lady working on investment portfolio at home
  • Finances
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  • Investing basics

How Canadians are investing is changing: Here’s what you should know

As was discussed in the “Focus on Investors” panel at this year’s ASC Connect conference, the way Canadians invest and how they think about building long-term wealth is changing faster than ever. Younger investors are entering the market earlier and relying on digital tools to guide their decisions, while older Canadians are adjusting how they manage retirement income as life…

Ramp-and-dump scams: How they work and how to spot them before you invest
Ramp-and-dump scams: How they work and how to spot them before you invest

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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.