High-Yield Investment Programs

{
  "id": "MLC-T-FIN-000190",
  "term": "High-Yield Investment Programs",
  "field": "Finance and investing",
  "definition": "High-Yield Investment Programs (HYIP) are unregistered investments typically run by unlicensed individuals - and they are often frauds. The hallmark of an HYIP scam is the promise of incredible returns at little or no risk to the investor. A HYIP website might promise annual (or even monthly, weekly, or daily!) returns of 30 or 40 percent - or more. Some of these scams may use the term “prime bank” program. Fraudsters may use social media to promote a HYIP website or may encourage investors to use social media to share information about a HYIP website with others. If you are approached online to invest in one of these, you should exercise extreme caution - they are likely frauds.\n\nAdditional Information\n\nInvestor Alert: Social Media and Investing - Avoiding Fraud\n\nInternet Fraud: How to Avoid Internet Investment Scams\n\nInvestor Alert: \"Prime Bank\" Investments Are Scams",
  "references": [
    "SEC Investor.gov Glossary"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/finance/high-yield-investment-programs/"
}