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Technology Stocks : TTRE (TTR Incorporated) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: blebovits who wrote (148)	12/6/2000 10:09:51 AM
From: StockDung	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 609

Pump&Dump.con: Tips for Avoiding Stock Scams on the Internet One of the most common Internet frauds involves the classic "pump and dump" scheme. Here's how it works: A company's web site may feature a glowing press release about its financial health or some new product or innovation. Newsletters that purport to offer unbiased recommendations may suddenly tout the company as the latest "hot" stock. Messages in chat rooms and bulletin board postings may urge you to buy the stock quickly or to sell before the price goes down. Or you may even hear the company mentioned by a radio or TV analyst. Unwitting investors then purchase the stock in droves, creating high demand and pumping up the price. But when the fraudsters behind the scheme sell their shares at the peak and stop hyping the stock, the price plummets, and investors lose their money. Fraudsters frequently use this ploy with small, thinly traded companies because it's easier to manipulate a stock when there's little or no information available about the company. To steer clear of potential scams, always investigate before you invest: Consider the Source When you see an offer on the Internet, assume it is a scam, until you can prove through your own research that it is legitimate. And remember that the people touting the stock may well be insiders of the company or paid promoters who stand to profit handsomely if you trade. Find Out Where the Stock Trades Many of the smallest and most thinly traded stocks cannot meet the listing requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market or a national exchange, such as the New York Stock Exchange. Instead they trade in the "over-the-counter" market and are quoted on OTC systems, such as the OTC Bulletin Board or the Pink Sheets. Stocks that trade in the OTC market are generally among the most risky and most susceptible to manipulation. Independently Verify Claims It's easy for a company or its promoters to make grandiose claims about new product developments, lucrative contracts, or the company's financial health. But before you invest, make sure you've independently verified those claims. Research the Opportunity Always ask for — and carefully read — the prospectus or current financial statements. Check the SEC's EDGAR database to see whether the investment is registered. Some smaller companies don't have to register their securities offerings with the SEC, so always check with your state securities regulator, too. Watch Out for High-Pressure Pitches Beware of promoters who pressure you to buy before you have a chance to think about and fully investigate the so-called "opportunity." Don't fall for the line that you'll lose out on a "once-in-a-lifetime" chance to make big money if you don't act quickly. Always Be Skeptical Whenever someone you don't know offers you a hot stock tip, ask yourself: Why me? Why is this stranger giving me this tip? How might he or she benefit if I trade? For more information on how to use the Internet to invest wisely and avoid fraud, be sure to visit our Internet and Online Trading web page. There you'll find a vast array of tips, including Internet Fraud: How to Avoid Internet Investment Scams. sec.gov Last update: 09/28/2000 Return to the Investor Education and Assistance page Return to SEC Home Page

To: blebovits who wrote (148)	12/6/2000 10:06:34 PM
From: mormon_thomas_crown	Respond to of 609

Insider registering their shares does not mean they will sell them. Many times an insider will register for the purposes of having them ready for sale because it is the (non-management employees)first time these type of employees have ever owned stock from a start-up or early phase position. Many times they sense the money is new, and as a result, the money is burning a hole in their pocket, (similar to the size of the hole in Truthseeker's head). If they are smart, they will hold on and wait for this company to grow its potential high profits or be acquired. Every CD or DVD manufacturer will pay their toll on this one.