Ask six questions before investing

Understand the thing you would own

Ask what you are buying, how it might produce a return, how you could lose money, what it costs, when you can get out, and who stands behind the offer. If an answer depends on a promise, find where that promise appears in the actual documents and who is responsible for it.

Read risks before the sales story

A prospectus or equivalent disclosure can explain the business or product, financial information, terms, and material risks. Read the risk factors alongside the attractive scenario. A polished presentation is not a substitute for the document describing your rights.

Verify the provider and any adviser independently using your own jurisdiction’s official register. Registration is a check on identity or status, not an endorsement or guarantee of returns. Be cautious when someone discourages questions, urges secrecy, or promises high returns with little risk. If you cannot explain an offer in ordinary language after reading, you can pause rather than act under pressure.