Buyer Beware

Whether you have $100 or $1,000,000, there's always someone with a foolproof way to make it grow exponentially with absolutely no risk. Claims of this sort are typically accompanied by phrases like "trust me" or "I've invested my own money in this" or "you have to act now before the word gets out."

Successful investing is not an overnight process. It takes time and patience. Get-rich-quick schemes are usually offered by shady types who are trying to get rich off your innocence and gullibility. Check out the links below to learn how to identify and avoid investment scams.

A truly reprehensible annuity scam directed at the old, sick, and dying.

BankRate's Top 10 Investment Scams

FINRA Guide to Avoiding Investment Scams

Tips for Avoiding Investment Scams, from the Internet Fraud Watch

SEC Warns Against Internet Fraud: How to Avoid Internet Investment Scams