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University of Missouri Employees: How to Navigate the Rising Threat of Social Media Investment Scams

A concerning rise in fraudulent operations involving people posing as investing advisers has been observed in recent times, and University of Missouri employees are not immune. These con artists are promoting what they say are profitable investment groups by taking advantage of social media sites, especially Instagram. They then interact with potential investors via encrypted messaging platforms, such as WhatsApp, where they continue the fraud.

A notable increase in investor complaints related to these schemes has been documented by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), affecting many. Almost a dozen complaints have been filed since November, claiming damages of millions of dollars. This pattern points to a worrying trend that might be the start of a bigger problem.

By assuming the identities of reputable investing professionals with spotless disciplinary histories, con artists painstakingly construct their schemes. University of Missouri employees should be aware that these scammers build believable false personas using information that is readily available to the public in order to mislead investors about their genuine identities and goals. These con artists frequently surround themselves with respectable names in the investing world who are not engaged in these kinds of dishonest operations.

The first strategy is to encourage investing in well-known, high-volume stocks. University of Missouri employees might be targeted as the scammers gradually turn the topic to less well-known and less liquid equities that are traded on the Hong Kong or American marketplaces. The con artists lead their victims to open accounts with particular brokers and give them advice on what stocks to buy, how much to invest, when to buy them, and how much to pay. The stock prices artificially rise as a result of this method. But when it comes time to sell, the investors can't sell, which causes the stock value to plummet dramatically and causes them to suffer large losses.

A more concerning variation on their scams is when these con artists convince investors to move large amounts of money from other bank accounts. Scammers often propose that investors borrow money from personal contacts in order to recover their losses, but they also guarantee the return of the cash if additional money is invested in response to reports of losses.

In order to shield oneself from complex financial frauds like ramp-and-dump, University of Missouri employees should be wary of accepting unsolicited investment offers. Here are a few safety precautions:

Conduct Extensive Research: Use resources such as FINRA's BrokerCheck to confirm the credentials of the financial professional before pursuing any investment option. Verify that the promoter's information, including name, company, and address, agrees with what you've discovered.
Independent Assessment: Prior to making an investment, the offer should always be independently evaluated.
Steer Clear of Unofficial Communication Channels: Respectable brokerage firms typically forbid their registered professionals from utilizing apps like WhatsApp for business-related communications.

Another preventative measure is to educate yourself about financial grooming scams, which are also referred to as 'pig butchering' worldwide. University of Missouri employees should report the occurrence to regulatory agencies such as FINRA if they believe they have been targeted or are involved in a stock manipulation scheme.

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Recall that TRG makes it clear that it doesn't communicate with people via Telegram or WhatsApp. University of Missouri employees should always get in touch with the relevant entity directly to verify the veracity of any correspondence. Being vigilant is crucial to spotting potential frauds and navigating the complicated world of contemporary financial options.

In light of the larger conversation surrounding investment scams, it's critical to remember that those over 60 are more susceptible to these kinds of scams. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) states that because of their perceived financial stability and increasing online presence, elder investors, including those from University of Missouri, are more likely to be the target of social media scammers. According to the SEC's 2021 study, more than 35% of fraudulent schemes are started on social media, which emphasizes the necessity for investors in this age range to exercise extra vigilance. The likelihood of falling for such scams can be considerably reduced by being aware of them and being sure before investing.

Navigating social media for financial prospects is like fishing in uncharted waters. University of Missouri employees need to be as discerning as a seasoned fisherman who studies the environment, recognizing that beneath the calm surface lie both valuable catches and dangerous predators. Scammers, like crafty barracudas, often pose as legitimate investment advisers, offering high returns. They bait their hooks with reputable stocks before steering investors toward more volatile investments, creating a frenzy that collapses, leaving investors at a loss. Therefore, University of Missouri employees must verify the waters they venture into using reliable tools like FINRA BrokerCheck to learn the costly traps at the end of their financial journey.

How does the eligibility criteria for the Defined Benefit Retirement Plan at the University of Missouri System differ for Level One and Level Two members, particularly in regard to their hire or rehire dates?

Eligibility Criteria for Level One and Level Two Members: Level One members are employees hired before October 1, 2012, or those rehired before October 1, 2019, who had earned a vested benefit but did not receive a lump sum. Level Two members are those hired or rehired between October 1, 2012, and October 1, 2019, without eligibility for Level One benefits. Employees hired after October 1, 2019, do not accrue service credit under the DB Plan(University of Missouri …).

In what ways do service credits accumulated at the University of Missouri System impact an employee's retirement benefits, and how can employees ensure that they effectively maximize their service credit over the years?

Impact of Service Credits on Retirement Benefits: Service credits are critical in calculating retirement benefits at the University of Missouri System. Employees accumulate service credits based on their years of service, which directly affect their pension calculations. Maximizing service credits involves consistent full-time employment without breaks, as any leave of absence or part-time status may impact the total service credits earned(University of Missouri …)(University of Missouri …).

What are the various options available to employees at the University of Missouri System for receiving their retirement benefits upon reaching normal retirement age, and how do these options influence long-term financial planning for retirement?

Retirement Benefit Options: Upon reaching normal retirement age, employees can choose between a Single Life Annuity or a Joint and Survivor Annuity, both with options for lump-sum payments of 10%, 20%, or 30% of the actuarial present value. These choices influence monthly payout amounts, and selecting a lump sum reduces future monthly benefits proportionally(University of Missouri …).

With respect to the University of Missouri System's Defined Benefit Plan, how are employees' contributions structured, and what implications does this have for their overall retirement savings strategy?

Employee Contributions: Employees contribute 1% of their salary up to $50,000 and 2% for earnings beyond that threshold. This structure helps fund the DB Plan, with the University covering the majority of the cost. Employees need to factor in these contributions as part of their overall retirement savings strategy(University of Missouri …).

How can employees at the University of Missouri System assess their eligibility for early retirement benefits, and what considerations should be taken into account when planning for an early retirement?

Early Retirement Eligibility: Employees may retire early if they meet specific criteria: at least 10 years of service credit for ages 55–60 or at least 5 years of service credit for ages 60–65. Early retirees will receive a reduced benefit to account for the longer payout period(University of Missouri …).

What tax implications should employees of the University of Missouri System be aware of when it comes to distributions from their retirement plans, and how can they effectively navigate these implications?

Tax Implications of Retirement Plan Distributions: Distributions from the University of Missouri System’s DB Plan are subject to federal taxes. Employees can mitigate tax burdens by electing to roll over lump-sum distributions to a qualified retirement account, such as an IRA, to avoid immediate tax liability(University of Missouri …).

What are the policies regarding the continuation of benefits for employees who leave the University of Missouri System, particularly for those who are not vested or are classified as non-vested members?

Non-Vested Employee Policies: Employees who leave the University before vesting in the DB Plan (fewer than 5 years of service) are not eligible for retirement benefits but can receive a refund of their contributions. These non-vested employees must decide whether to receive their refunded contributions as a lump sum or through a rollover to another retirement account(University of Missouri …).

How might changes in employment status, such as taking a leave of absence or returning to work after a break, affect the service credit calculation for an employee at the University of Missouri System?

Impact of Employment Status Changes on Service Credit: Employees who take leaves of absence or return after breaks in employment may experience reductions in service credit. However, certain types of leave, such as military service or medical leave, may allow employees to continue earning service credit(University of Missouri …)(University of Missouri …).

In the event of an employee's death prior to retirement, what benefits are available to their survivors under the University of Missouri System's Defined Benefit Plan, and how can members ensure their wishes are respected?

Survivor Benefits: In the event of an employee’s death before retirement, survivors may be eligible for either a lump sum or monthly payments. Employees can designate beneficiaries to ensure that their wishes are honored, providing financial protection for dependents(University of Missouri …).

How can an employee at the University of Missouri System contact the Human Resources Service Center to obtain personalized assistance regarding their retirement options and any inquiries related to their retirement plan details? These questions require detailed answers and are designed to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of retirement processes and options for employees of the University of Missouri System.

Contacting HR for Assistance: Employees can contact the Human Resources Service Center for personalized assistance regarding their retirement options by emailing hrservicecenter@umsystem.edu or visiting the myHR portal for further details(University of Missouri …).