100lbStriper
1 day ago
this is the first time i ever recieved something from a broker that referenced anything i've seen from the begining of the internet.........like they never knew of this shit lol!!!
Alert: Fraudsters are targeting investors over social media.
In a sophisticated scam, fraudsters are using social media and other channels to lure investors into “pump-and-dump” schemes. Their goal is to create a buying frenzy using false and misleading information that artificially inflates, or “pumps” up, the price of a stock. Once the price has surged, the fraudsters quickly “dump” their shares by selling them at the inflated value.
In these schemes, the stock eventually crashes, leaving unsuspecting investors who purchased at the higher price holding devalued shares—often leading to significant financial losses. We want to make sure you can recognize the signs so that you can protect yourself and your assets.
Here's how this pump-and-dump scheme works.
Fraudsters create fake social media profiles of celebrities, Schwab professionals, and other financial experts to gain credibility. They may also use social messaging apps like WhatsApp, X (formerly Twitter), and Telegram, as well as lower-tech methods like text messages and phone calls. The fraudsters then lure potential investors into private investment groups where they are pressured into investing in specific securities at set times to inflate the price of these securities.
Protect yourself by becoming familiar with the tactics and warning signs.
•
Get-rich-quick offers. We’ll never ask you to invest in specific stocks over social media or invite you to exclusive investor groups. If you receive unexpected messages urging you to invest in specific stocks through exclusive private groups, these are scams.
•
Stock purchase manipulation. Fraudsters may try to guide you step by step, asking you to buy specific stocks and invest specific amounts. Never follow investment directions from someone you don’t personally know.
•
Manipulative tactics and coaching. To avoid detection, fraudsters may manipulate you into initiating trades or transactions yourself. They may even provide scripts with instructions on what to say if questioned. If anyone tries to coach you into saying or doing specific things, it’s a red flag.
Keeping your assets safe is our top priority.
If you receive a suspicious direct message, call, or text, please call us at 800-435-4000 (or +1-415-667-8400 if calling from outside the U.S.). We also recommend that you report any suspicious or fraudulent activity to the social media platform directly. For more information about how we keep your account information secure, please visit SchwabSafe® or Fraud Prevention. You can get there by going to Schwab.com and then clicking on the SchwabSafe icon or by going to schwab.com/learn/topic/fraud-prevention.
SchwabSafe® Security Knowledge Center Contact Us
Operational and clearing services provided by:
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., 3000 Schwab Way, Westlake, TX 76262-8104.
For clients of Charles Schwab SG Pte., Ltd.:
This email was sent by: Charles Schwab SG Pte. Ltd., 8 Marina View, #12-01 Asia Square Tower 1, Singapore 018960 (Singapore Company Registration No. 200902152D). Telephone: +65 60218070
For Accredited Investor clients: This email was sent by Charles Schwab SG Pte. Ltd. on behalf of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
Securities, products, and services are not available in all countries and are subject to country-specific restrictions. Charles Schwab SG Pte. Ltd. (holding a capital markets services license issued by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and an Exempt Financial Adviser as defined in the Financial Advisers Act) and Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (Member SIPC) are separate but affiliated companies and subsidiaries of The Charles Schwab Corporation. Nothing here is an offer or solicitation of securities, products and services by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. in any jurisdiction where their offer or sale is not qualified or exempt from registration.
For clients of Charles Schwab, Hong Kong, Ltd.:
Your Schwab account relationship is with Charles Schwab, Hong Kong, Ltd., which is registered with the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong to carry out the regulated activities in dealing in securities and advising on securities under registration CE number ADV 256. Charles Schwab, Hong Kong, Ltd. is an affiliate of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Charles Schwab, Hong Kong, Ltd. has contracted with Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. to perform certain services in connection with your account with Charles Schwab, Hong Kong, Ltd. You may receive communications or materials directly from Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.; however, for all queries, please contact Charles Schwab, Hong Kong.
Charles Schwab, Hong Kong, Ltd. Room 3401, 34 th Floor, Gloucester Tower, The Landmark, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong. Telephone: +852-2101-0500.
For clients of Charles Schwab Hong Kong, please log in through www.schwab.com.hk/customer-center-login.
For clients of Charles Schwab, U.K., Limited:
Charles Schwab, U.K., Limited is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA") to arrange deals in investments and make arrangements with a view to transactions in investments under registration number 225116. Charles Schwab, U.K., Limited is designated under U.S. regulations as a foreign branch office of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Charles Schwab, U.K., Limited is a private limited company registered in England and Wales No. 4709153 and a wholly owned subsidiary of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Registered office: 33 Ludgate Hill, London EC4M 7JN.
If you have any questions or concerns, PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL. Instead, visit Schwab.com/contactus to identify a fast and simple way to get in touch.
For your protection, we are unable to accept instructions to change your email address sent in reply to this message. To update your address using a secure channel, please log in to your account.
For your security, Charles Schwab will never request personal information through email.
Review SchwabSafe® and the Schwab Security Guarantee.
Notice: All email sent to or from the Charles Schwab corporate email system is subject to archival, monitoring, and/or review by Schwab personnel.
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., 3000 Schwab Way, Westlake, TX 76262-8104
©2025 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. ("Schwab"). All rights reserved. Member SIPC.
(0225-XYB2) EML127214-00 (02/25)
100lbStriper
6 days ago
“The USPTO Executive Team is filling up with familiar leaders who are expected to be supportive of a pro-patent agenda, which is consistent with the ideological and philosophical preferences of incoming Secretary Lutnick.”
USPTO Executive TeamHoward Lutnick, who is President Trump’s pick to become the next Secretary of Commerce, cleared a key hurdle in the Senate on Thursday, February 13, with the Senate voting 52-45 to invoke cloture. This means Lutnick will indeed soon be confirmed by the Senate to be the next Secretary of Commerce.
IPWatchdog has also reported that Coke Stewart was appointed Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for IP and Deputy Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), which then immediately put her into the role of Acting Director. And we have similarly reported that Valencia Martin Wallace has been tapped to become Acting Commissioner for Patents after now former Commissioner for Patents Vaishali Udupa resigned, electing to take advantage of the deferred resignation program offered federal employees by President Trump. But more quietly, the USPTO Executive Team is filling up with familiar leaders who are expected to be supportive of a pro-patent agenda, which is consistent with the ideological and philosophical preferences of incoming Secretary Lutnick, who himself is a prolific inventor who has made millions of dollars with his inventions, but also has felt the sting of patent eligibility chaos.
We have learned that Janet Gongola has become the Acting Chief Communications Officer (CCO) at the USPTO. Whether she will eventually become the CCO remains to be seen, but Gongola has repeatedly through her career with the agency been placed in important communications and engagement-related roles.
Gongola, who previously served as Vice Chief Judge for Strategy at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board from 2016 to 2025, will now manage a team responsible for development and implementation of the USPTO’s strategic communications in coordination with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the White House. In addition, she will support and advise the Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Acting Director of the USPTO. Prior to joining the PTAB, Gongola served as a Senior Advisor for Law and Policy in the Office of the Director from 2014 to 2016, Associate Commissioner for Patent Examination Policy from 2012 to 2014, the Patent Reform Coordinator for implementation of the America Invents Act from 2011 to 2012. Gongola started her USPTO career in 2006 as an Associate Solicitor in the Office of the Solicitor.
While some in the inventor and patent owner communities may try to dismiss Gongola or view her negatively given her service on the PTAB and with the America Invents Act (AIA), that would be a mistake. Yes, Gongola has served in a variety of roles at the USPTO, and it is true that inventors and patent owners often have a dim view of the PTAB and of the AIA, but Gongola is an effective communicator who through her experience is well positioned to promote what is widely believed will be a pro-patent agenda pursued by the Commerce Department during President Trump’s second term.
Another new face at the USPTO is Christopher Shipp, who is returning to the USPTO after serving in various senior executive capacities during the first Trump Administration under then-Director Andrei Iancu. Shipp is now the Chief of Staff for the USPTO, which means he is the Director’s principal advisor. He will advise the Director on budget, policies, priorities, and global communications of President Trump’s intellectual property agenda. He will also serve on the USPTO’s Executive Committee, and he will manage the day-to-day policy coordination process with the White House, the Department of Commerce, and other federal agencies.
Shipp, a 2024 Republican National Committee Platform Member, and a Platform Committee Whip, has also held multiple positions with the Montana Republican Party, serving as Executive Director and Communications Director over the course of three election cycles.
https://ipwatchdog.com/2025/02/16/trump-administrations-uspto-executive-team-taking-shape/id=186071/