The North American Securities Administrators Association today outlined a forecast of the 13 most common ways investors are likely to be trapped in 2006.

NASAA’s “Unlucky 13” List of Investor Traps to watch for in 2006 was prepared by the Enforcement Trends Project Group of NASAA’s Enforcement Section under the direction of project group chair Michael Byrne, chief counsel of the Pennsylvania Securities Commission.

“This list is anything but lucky,” NASAA president and Wisconsin Securities Administrator Patricia Struck said. “Investment scams can be devastating for the investor who falls victim, both financially and emotionally. Scams come in many disguises, but they all share a common goal of separating victims from their money. As regulators, we are especially concerned that as the first of the Baby Boomers turn 60 this year they not become trapped in bad investments as their retirement nears.”

Among those on the list, Struck and Byrne identified personal information scams, oil and gas investment fraud, and prime bank schemes as the greatest potential threats to investors this year. The other threats include: affinity fraud, churning, equity-indexed deposits, pump and dump schemes, recovery rooms, high-interest promissory notes advertised, leaseback contracts, self-directed pension plans, unsuitable recommendations, and variable annuities.

Before making any investment, Struck urged investors to ask the following questions: Are the seller and investment licensed and registered in your state? Has the seller given you written information that fully explains the investment? Are claims made for the investment realistic? Does the investment meet your personal investment goals?

She also urged investors to contact their state or provincial securities regulator with any questions about an investment product, broker or adviser, before making an investment. “One phone call can save a lot of money and misery,” she said.