Promissory Note Scams
Promissory notes can appear to be safe, lucrative investments. But many investors have been left with only broken promises. Informed investors recognize that when an investment sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
What is a Promissory Note?
A promissory note is simply a form of debt - like a loan or an IOU - that a company may issue to raise money. An investor typically agrees to loan money to a company in exchange for the company's promise that it will pay back the amount, plus interest, over a specific time period.
While legitimate promissory notes exist, they are not typically sold to the general public. Promissory notes marketed broadly to individual investors often turn out to be scams.
The Connecticut Department of Banking, and securities regulators around the country, have recently received numerous complaints about promissory notes from investors. The department estimates Connecticut investors have lost over $7 million in such investments.
You can avoid becoming a victim of a promissory note scam by being an informed investor.
How a Promissory Note Scam Works
Most promissory note scams follow a predictable pattern.
According to Connecticut securities officials, promissory notes are often sold by independent life insurance agents - lured by high commissions of up to 30% - who may know nothing about the investments beyond what they’re told by promoters. (In some cases, insurance agents have themselves purchased promissory note investments). The insurance agents may believe - incorrectly - that the notes are not securities, and the agents may not realize either that they must be licensed as brokers with the Department of Banking in order to sell securities in Connecticut.
Some notes are issued on behalf of companies that don’t even exist. Investors often get official-looking promissory note certificates complete with legal-sounding language and gold embossed seals. Insurance agents may tell investors the notes are a safe investment since they are purportedly bonded or guaranteed by insurance companies. However, most of the surety companies guaranteeing the notes are unlicensed, are located offshore and are not able to financially stand behind the promised guarantees. As an added risk, the companies who choose such means of financing invariably find it extremely difficult to pay investors their promised returns within the specified short timeframes.
Potential investors can be thrown off-guard since they often know and may have a long-standing, trusted relationship with the insurance agents selling the notes. In addition, out-of-state investment advisers may also sell promissory notes, and some are promoted over the Internet.
What’s the attraction of promissory notes? Many of the victims are elderly investors who don’t want exposure to the risk of the general securities market and aren’t interested in traditional insurance products. They may, however, be attracted to "promissory notes" because they seem to offer safety along with a higher-than-market rate of return.
According to the sales pitch, the promissory notes are from supposedly "well-established" companies who need capital to expand their businesses. Instead of borrowing money from a traditional lender, they instead offer investors an opportunity to purchase such "notes," typically with a maturity of nine months and an annual interest rate of up to 20%. Agents may urge clients to "cash-in" their life insurance policies and "roll" them into these notes.
Where does the money go? The promoters may use a portion of the money raised from investors to pay agents their commissions or they may use a "Ponzi scheme" to pay Peter with new money from Paul. Typically, according to regulators, they abscond with the rest, squandering it on personal expenses or high-flying life styles.
Tips To Avoid Promissory Note Scams
Here's how you can avoid becoming the victim of a promissory note scam:
Check out the sales person
Insurance agents or other persons selling "promissory notes" must be properly licensed to sell securities. Call the Securities Division at 860-240-8230 or check on the Department's website to see if the person is registered.
Check out the investment
Do research to determine whether the company offering promissory notes is legitimate and is healthy enough to pay its debts. The types of promissory notes typically offered in scams are usually securities. Before parting with any of your money, contact the Securities Division to determine if the notes are properly registered or legally exempt from registration.
Be wary of guaranteed investments
Be skeptical of promissory notes that are supposedly "insured" or "guaranteed," especially if a foreign insurance company is involved. Contact the Connecticut Department of Insurance to find out if the foreign insurance company can legally do business in the United States.
Be suspicious of "risk-free, high yield" investments
As a first rule in finance, the higher the reward, the greater the risk you must bear. Promises of "risk-free, high returns" exceeding the prevailing marketplace are usually the bait that con artists use to lure their victims. Always remember that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Looking for More Information?
Visit the Securities and Exchange Commission for more information about Promissory Note Fraud.
What To Do If You're a Victim:
If you believe you've invested in a promissory note scam, act promptly. Contact the Department of Banking for assistance.