Last week U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) launched a game show-themed public service campaign to help investors make informed investment decisions and avoid fraud “in a playful way.”

Office of Investor Education and Advocacy

The campaign is Titled “Investomania,”. It features 30-second TV spot interactive quizzes, and 15-second informational videos on crypto assets, margin calls, and guaranteed returns, the SEC elaborates.

30-second TV spot two contestants were asked to choose a square on a video game board with investment options in the TV spot that includes internet rumors, celebrity endorsements, stock tips, crypto to the moon, FOMO, meme stocks, tulip bulbs, guaranteed returns, and timing the market. The consequences of investment decisions were designed which is shown through the video. In a fun and comedic way, the video shows the consequences of a good or a bad choice after the contestants have made their choices. This will lead investors to understand the importance of protecting themselves when making investment decisions.

Investing in crypto was the topic of one of the 15-second videos. In 15-second videos, a celebrity encourages investors to take their advice and buy crypto-assets. The main aim of the video is to remind investors to avoid getting tempted by celebrity endorsements and to do their own, independent research when making investment decisions. This video alerts investors that there are no guaranteed financial returns on investments and that every investment has a risk be it good or bad.

The SEC said, “Our ‘Investomania’ public service campaign uses a game show concept to educate investors in a playful way that investing is not a game and that they should do their due diligence when making investment decisions.”

Before investing, investors are encouraged to research investments and obtain information from trustworthy sources to understand the risks before investing. Investor.gov, the SEC's online investor education resource, offers free financial planning tools and information.

According to the Director of the SEC Office of Investor Education and Advocacy, Lori Schock, SEC looks for creative and memorable ways to reach and educate investors. This public service campaign is expected to attract the attention of all kinds of investors with its lighthearted approach.  The best way for investors is to do their own research and visit Investor.gov to learn how to avoid fraud and invest.

Investor.gov since it launched in October 2009. Since then more than 40 million users have accessed Investor.gov. On Investor.gov/quiz, thousands of investors test their investing knowledge each month.

Indrani bose

CBW - External Analyst

INDIA