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Microcap & Penny Stocks : PLNI - Game Over

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To: catattack76 who wrote (244)12/2/2005 1:44:19 PM
From: scion  Read Replies (1) of 12518
 
What Are the "Red Flags"?

It can be extraordinarily difficult to detect fraud or a manipulative scheme. But when you're researching a company, watch out for these "red flags":

SEC Trading Suspensions

The SEC has the power to suspend trading in any stock for up to 10 days when it believes that information about the company is inaccurate or unreliable. Think twice before investing in a company that's been the subject of an SEC trading suspension. You'll find information about trading suspensions on the SEC's website.

Company Recommended But No Current Information

Be especially careful if you receive an unsolicited fax or e-mail about a company -- or see it praised on an Internet bulletin board -- but can find no current financial information about the company from other independent sources. Many fraudsters use e-mail, faxes and Internet postings to tout thinly traded stocks, in the hopes that the resulting buying frenzy will push the share price up so that they can sell their shares. Once they dump their stock and quit promoting the company, the share price quickly falls.

High Pressure Sales Tactics

Beware of salespeople who pressure you to buy before you have a chance to think about and investigate the "opportunity." Dishonest people may try to tell you about a "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity or one that's based on "inside" or "confidential" information. Don't fall for a promise of spectacular profits or "guaranteed" returns. These are the hallmarks of fraud. If the deal sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.

Assets Are Large But Revenues Are Small

Companies will sometimes assign high values on their financial statements to assets that have nothing to do with their business. Find out whether there's a valid explanation for low revenues, especially when the company claims to have large assets.

Odd Items in the Footnotes to the Financial Statements

Many fraud schemes involve unusual transactions among individuals connected to the company. These can be unusual loans or the exchange of questionable assets for company stock that may be discussed in the footnotes.

Unusual Auditing Issues

Be wary when a company's auditors have refused to certify the company's financial statements or if they've stated that the company may not have enough money to continue operating. Also question any change of accountants.

Insiders Own Large Amounts of the Stock

In many fraud cases - especially "pump and dump" schemes - the company's officers and promoters own significant amounts of the stock. When one person or group controls most of the stock, they can more easily manipulate the stock's price at your expense. You can ask your broker or the company whether one person or group controls most of the company's stock, but if the company is the subject of a scam, you may not get an honest answer.

Additional Warning Signs

Don't deal with anyone who refuses to provide you with written information about the investments they're promoting. Never tell a cold caller your social security number or numbers for your banking and securities accounts. And be extra wary if someone you don't know and trust recommends foreign or "off-shore" investments. For more tips on avoiding danger, be sure to read Cold Calling and The Fleecing of Foreign Investors.

sec.gov
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