"Before you accept any invitation about financial, retirement or estate planning, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) wants you to know that many insurance and financial firms reach out to middle-aged and older adults or host free meal seminars," the NAIC says in the alert. "The offer of free meals, door prizes, and/or free advice may lead you to attend a seminar when you wouldn't otherwise," the NAIC says. "Some invitations make you feel it's urgent to register due to 'limited space.' A nice restaurant, an expensive meal, and a well-dressed presenter may be impressive, but it doesn't mean that what they're selling is right for you. There is always a purpose to a 'free' seminar, even those advertised as unbiased and educational." Later, in a collection of tips for consumers, the NAIC says, "Decide before you go that you won't give out any personal information, sign any documents, or make any decisions while you're there. Leave your checkbook at home and consider getting a second opinion before you sign anything."
The NAIC reports, in a press release announcing the new meal seminar alert, that it recently commissioned an online survey on seminar marketing. The participant sample included 1,003 U.S. adults, ages 18 and older.
The new consumer alert is available here. A related press release is available here. — Read 'Free Meal' Seminars Work: Researchers, on ThinkAdvisor. — Connect with ThinkAdvisor Life/Health on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
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