Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about how to use Investor Alert and our approach to sourcing.
What kind of information does this site publish?
We mechanically and comprehensively collect information published by public authorities such as Japan's Financial Services Agency, Local Finance Bureaus, and the Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission — administrative actions against financial instruments business operators, and warnings issued against those conducting financial instruments business without registration. We also publish anonymized, generalized patterns drawn from community accounts of solicitation tactics, and explanations of terms related to investment fraud.
Does a firm being listed mean it is dangerous, and does a firm not being listed mean it is safe?
No. The cases listed on this site are limited to what could be confirmed at the time a public authority made its announcement. A firm or individual not listed here may well be engaged in similar conduct. Whether or not a firm appears on this site is not, by itself, a determination or guarantee of that firm's or individual's legality or safety. Please check the FSA website's list of registered firms directly for the most current registration status.
What does "tiering of information sources" mean?
To maintain the accuracy of our articles, we handle information differently depending on its source. For materials published by public authorities such as the FSA and Local Finance Bureaus, we name the parties involved and publish a summary that does not go beyond the scope of the published content. Verifiable reporting from news organizations is treated similarly, with the fact that it is reporting clearly noted. Unverified information, such as accounts submitted to communities, is used only in the Solicitation Tactic Catalog, introduced solely as generalized "tactic patterns" anonymized so that no specific real firm or individual can be identified.
I found an error in the content, or it appears to be outdated. What should I do?
Please contact us through the channel described in our Correction & Takedown Policy. After reviewing the content, we will make corrections, deletions, or other changes as appropriate. We also accept rebuttals or comments from any party referenced in an article through the same channel.
Can I consult you about whether to invest in a specific firm?
We do not accept consultations about individual investment decisions or the merits of a specific firm. This site is an information service intended to organize public disclosures and raise investor awareness; we do not solicit or offer investment advisory contracts. If you have already suffered harm or believe you may be at risk, we recommend contacting one of the public consultation contact points listed in our Consultation & Reporting Contacts Guide.
Does this cover solicitation from firms based overseas?
Yes. Even a firm based overseas generally needs to be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act if it solicits investors located in Japan. Patterns commonly seen in solicitation from overseas firms are explained on our Overseas Firms & Cross-Border Solicitation Watch page.
Who operates this site?
This site is operated by Trilogy Inc. (Registration No. 372, Kinki Local Finance Bureau; investment advisory and agency business; member of the Japan Investment Advisers Association) as part of its investor protection and investor education activities. For more information, see About This Site.