Top Investor Threats of 2012

What were the top investor threats of 2012?  According to a speaker during the NASAA roundtable session at the November, 2012 annual meeting of the Public Investors Arbitration Bar Association, the top four new threats were:

1. Crowd funding / internet securities offerings
2. Inappropriate advice or practices by investment advisors
3. Scams involving self-directed IRAs to mask fraud
4. EB-5 investment for visa scams

The top six persistent threats were:

1. Gold / precious metals
2. Risky oil / gas drilling schemes
3. Promissory notes
4. Real estate investment schemes
5. Reg. D / Rule 506 private offerings
6. Unlicensed salespersons giving liquidation recommendations (for example, recommendations to sell stocks to buy a variable annuity by an insurance agent not licensed as an investment advisor or stockbroker)