Securities / Investments

The Department does not regulate or have enforcement authority over securities or investment firms. The following is only provided for informational purposes to assist Georgia consumers.

Unlike bank accounts and other funds held by federally insured institutions where deposits are guaranteed by the federal government; stocks, bonds, and other securities can lose value with no federal guarantees to cover losses.  Prior to investing in securities or any other investments, consumers should do extensive research and ask questions about the products and the company offering those products.  The websites below offer resources to research such entities:

• Financial Industry Regulatory Authority: www.finra.org/investors/tools-and-calculators
• Investment Adviser Public Disclosure: adviserinfo.sec.gov/

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) was created to protect investors, maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets, and facilitate capital formation.  The SEC oversees key participants in the securities world, including securities exchanges, securities brokers and dealers, investment advisors, and mutual funds.  For detailed information on the authority of the SEC and the entities it regulates, please visit: www.sec.gov.

The SEC has published a general guide to investments on its website.  This may be a useful tool for consumers to review when considering investment options.  This guide is available at www.investor.gov/introduction-investing. The SEC also handles complaints from consumers.  To file a complaint with the SEC, please visit: www.sec.gov/complaint/select.shtml

In addition to the SEC, individual states regulate certain securities.  The Georgia Secretary of State serves as the Georgia Commissioner of Securities.  In that capacity, the Secretary of State regulates the offer and sale of securities within and from the state of Georgia.  For detailed information about the Secretary of State’s authority over securities, please visit: sos.ga.gov/index.php/Securities/securities_registration_and_exemptions. 

If you have had an issue with securities or an investment broker, adviser, or firm, you may also file a complaint with the Georgia Secretary of State. To file a complaint with the Secretary of State, please visit: sos.ga.gov/cgi-bin/EMailSecurities.asp.  Please note that the Georgia Secretary of State handles complaints from Georgia consumers for activity that has taken place in Georgia.