Is 25% a Year a Winning Investment?

Column distributed by Hearst Connecticut Media Group.

Links to resources referenced:

• FINRA Foundation
  • https://www.finrafoundation.org/sites/finrafoundation/files/2025-11/NFCS_Investor_Survey_Report_White_Paper.pdf
    • Related column excerpt:
      • “‘Investors in the United States: A Report of the National Financial Capability Study’ was released on Dec. 4. The foundation is a nonprofit educational organization established by FINRA, which oversees member broker-dealers who do business in the U.S.”
• FINRA: FINRA Foundation Releases Findings on Fraud Awareness Among Investors
  • https://www.finra.org/media-center/newsreleases/2025/finra-foundation-releases-findings-fraud-awareness-among-investors
    • Related column excerpt:
      • “‘All investments involve some level of risk, and investors must understand their own risk tolerance to make informed decisions,’ Gerri Walsh, president of the FINRA Foundation, said in a release about the findings. ‘At the same time, investors must learn to spot the red flags of investment fraud -- including the promise of little to no risk with unusually high returns.’”
• FINRA Securities Helpline for Seniors
  • https://www.finra.org/investors/need-help/helpline-seniors  
    • Related column excerpt:
      • “A key to financial knowledge is to choose reliable sources. One asset I have mentioned before is the FINRA Securities Helpline for Seniors, which takes calls from people of all ages. One goal of the helpline is to help prevent potential losses from fraud.”
• FBI: How We Can Help You – Elder Fraud
  • https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/scams-and-safety/common-frauds-and-scams/elder-fraud  
    • Related column excerpt:
      • “Websites like those for the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice have sections devoted to elder fraud. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has a webpage where you can submit a tip or complaint about possible securities fraud.”
• Office for Victims of Crime: National Elder Fraud Hotline
  • https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/stop-elder-fraud/providing-help-restoring-hope  
    • Related column excerpt:
      • “Websites like those for the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice have sections devoted to elder fraud. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has a webpage where you can submit a tip or complaint about possible securities fraud.”
• U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission: Report Suspected Securities Fraud or Wrongdoing
  • https://www.sec.gov/submit-tip-or-complaint/tips-complaints-resources/report-suspected-securities-fraud-or-wrongdoing
    • Related column excerpt:
      • “Websites like those for the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice have sections devoted to elder fraud. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has a webpage where you can submit a tip or complaint about possible securities fraud.”
• FINRA: Avoid Fraud
  • https://www.finra.org/investors/protect-your-money/avoid-fraud
    • Related column excerpt:
      • “On the educational front, FINRA and Investor.gov both have pages devoted to combating investment fraud.”
• Investor.gov: Types of Fraud
  • https://www.investor.gov/protect-your-investments/fraud/types-fraud  
    • Related column excerpt:
      • “On the educational front, FINRA and Investor.gov both have pages devoted to combating investment fraud.”