The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) is warning the public not to depend on instructional seminars to bring them handsome profits. Advertisements for instructional seminars frequently appear in the newspapers, radio, television, and on the internet. While the ads promise to make you get rich quick, the fine print may provide a more accurate picture of what you can expect.

What the seminars may promise you:

• Slick motivational speakers may make claims such as, "Learn how you can take only 5-10 minutes a day to find High Profit, High Probability Trades".
• The presenters may try to sell you software enabling you to "...trade without commissions, trade 24 hours a day, six days a week".
• You can "trade like a pro, without all the hard work!"
• "You simply won´t find an easier, more time-tested, flexible way to put dollars into your portfolio."

What to watch out for:
The polished presenter and the slick charts are just a few of the ways in which the seminar can make you believe that anything is possible. Do not be fooled by promises that you can achieve great wealth just by using their trading software and following their 'simple' steps. Seminars can provide you with market knowledge and trading strategies, but it is up to you to apply that knowledge.

Courses may be a pitch to sell further products such as software or trading services. These products can cost you thousands of dollars and impact any profits you may make.

Whether you are trading stocks, options, or foreign currencies, there is no guarantee that you will make any money.

What's in the fine print?
The fine print can often spell out what the seminar actually provides. Often, the disclaimer text contradicts the marketing pitch, and provides tips such as:

• "Investors need a broker to trade options, and must meet suitability requirements".
• Software is an "analytical tool only and is not intended to replace individual research or licensed investment advice".
• "Unique experiences and past performances do not guarantee future results!"
• "No system for identifying trends in foreign currency...is free of risk, nor can any system factor all the variables capable of impacting currency fluctuations."

The following tips will help you protect your money:

• Recognize that investment software and trading seminars do not take the place of advice from a licensed industry professional.
• Check the disclaimer. Often, you will find better investment tips in the fine print than in the seminar itself.
• When an ad makes extravagant claims about seminar results, take a careful look at what the claims are based on. Are the testimonials representative of all clients? Make sure you get the whole story.
• Investigate the person or company offering the courses. Sometimes companies change their names when they receive complaints against them; look into the company's history.
• Any person or company selling securities or offering investment advice in Ontario must be registered with the Ontario Securities Commission. This registration requirement also applies to people involved in any act, advertisement, solicitation, conduct or negotiation regarding a trade. Call the OSC at 1-877-785-1555 to check registration.
• Watch out for investment strategies that offer high returns and low risk. If an investment has a high return, you are taking a large risk with your money.
• Carefully consider your qualifications and training before you risk your money in an investment.