When the economy is weak, watch out for con artists who come on strong with enticing investment offers. Low interest rates and slumping stocks have many consumers looking for alternative investments. This type of economic climate is ripe for investment scams that typically start with offers of "guaranteed" big returns, business opportunities and other "no-risk" deals.

The Better Business Bureau and ,the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. remind you about the following investment scams.

FRAUDULENT SALES OF STOCKS, BONDS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS: Watch out for age-old Ponzi and pyramid schemes, in which scam artists promise high returns and use the money of some investors to pay off other investors, or life insurance agents who have overstepped their licenses to sell stocks, bonds and other securities. Also, be careful of investment seminars promising easy money, because many times these enrich only the sponsor.

FALSE OR MISLEADING SALES OF CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT: The bank CD issued by FDIC-insured institutions has long been considered among the safest financial investments available because of the deposit insurance protection. Criminals or unscrupulous brokers who use improper or confusing disclosure statements or outright fraud increasingly are victimizing consumers. There also have been reports of Internet or newspaper advertisements claiming to offer unusually high interest rates for CDs from banks that investors later learned were bogus.

PROMISSORY NOTE FRAUD: A promissory note is an interest-paying IOU generally issued by companies wanting to raise cash to finance operations. Investors in these notes tend to be corporations, not consumers, because a sophisticated analysis is recommended before putting up money. Criminals have preyed on unsuspecting consumers by offering guaranteed high rates of return on fake notes, often for nonexistent companies; investors soon discover their entire investment is lost.

THE NIGERIAN SCAM: This fraud has been around since the 1980s and has bilked investors out of billions of dollars. It generally works like this: You receive an unsolicited fax, e-mail, or letter from someone claiming to be a foreign government official, business executive or citizen asking for help. The letter usually offers a lucrative award or business opportunity if you allow the perpetrators to "park" funds in your U.S. bank account. First, though, you will be required to pay various government "fees" and "taxes." Those who comply lose their money forever. The fraud is widely know as the "Nigerian scam" because it originated in Nigeria and still flourishes there, but be advised that crooks in other countries are copying it.

The BBB suggests the following ways to avoid being taken by scams:

- Be wary of unsolicited investment offers. Never divulge your personal information or account numbers in response to unsolicited phone calls, e-mails or letters. Be especially skeptical if the sales pitch includes promises of guaranteed profits or yields that far exceed traditional investments.

- Deal with legitimate, reputable marketers. Before sending money or personal information to an unfamiliar person or company, do your research. Contact the Better Business Bureau for a reliability report on the company.

- Get key details in writing and independently research the investment. Reputable companies will be happy to answer questions or provide requested documentation. If a company will not disclose information in writing, do not invest.

Never invest in anything you do not fully understand and do not believe claims that promise high returns along with "little to no" risk.

Kelvin collins is the President and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Central Georgia & the CSRA Inc. serving 41 counties. This tips column is provided through the local BBB and the Council of Better Business Bureaus.