Donna J. Jodhan is a world renowned advocate, author, blogger, sight loss coach, dinner mystery writer and producer, entrepreneur, law graduate, and podcast commentator.
Donna has been in the business since 2000 and her many roles have allowed her to recognize that there is a growing need for consumers and clients to be made aware of some of the most dangerous and popular scams.
Donna herself has been unwittingly scammed over the years a few times and now she is using her skills, experience, knowledge, and expertise to help others avoid pitfalls and heartache.
And as a vision impaired professional and person she is ready to help you stay ahead!
Donna knows only too well how much we all need to work overtime to protect the most vulnerable from those unscrupulous scammers!
Please read her latest suite of scams and she would love to hear from you with your own feedback.
Here are three of the most common investment scams investors should watch out for in July — scams that tend to pop up or stay active around this time of year. These are based on current fraud alert trends from market regulators and scam reporting sites:
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1. Fraudulent Social-Media “Investment Groups”
Scammers will promote what looks like a legitimate stock or crypto investment club or group — usually on Facebook, Telegram, WhatsApp or Instagram — promising high returns or insider tips. Once enough people buy in, the scammers sell their shares, the price crashes, and ordinary investors lose money. These schemes often use cloned accounts and fake endorsements to look credible.
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Red flags: unsolicited invites to exclusive groups, pressure to invest quickly, foreign or obscure assets pushed suddenly.
2. Fake Online Trading and Crypto Platforms
Fraudsters create platforms that look like real investment or trading sites (especially for cryptocurrencies) but are built solely to steal funds. They might offer impressive “screenshots” of returns or ask you to deposit crypto before you realize you can’t withdraw anything. This often shows up through impersonation or fake registration claims.
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Red flags:
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Website isn’t registered with official securities authorities
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Promises of guaranteed profits or exaggerated returns
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You’re asked to pay fees in crypto before withdrawing
3. Pump-and-Dump Stock or Crypto Scams
This scam happens when scammers hype up the price of a low-volume stock or crypto token (often through online chatter) — then sell their holdings at the high price, causing the value to plunge and leaving late investors with losses. These schemes often resurface in summer when trading volumes and social-media activity rise.
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Red flags: hype on social media without credible news, sudden price spikes followed by big drops, promoters who won’t explain fundamentals.
Tips to Protect Yourself
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Always verify that the person or firm offering an investment is registered with a financial regulator.
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Be skeptical of high-pressure pitches or guaranteed returns.
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Never send money or crypto to someone you haven’t independently verified.
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Look for official warning lists from regulators like the Ontario Securities Commission or FINRA.
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Contact info:
Visit our websites at http://www.sterlingcreations.ca
http://www.donnajodhan.com
http://www.sterlingcreations.com
Email us at donnajodhan@sterlingcreations.ca
Or call us at 416 491-7711