Your privacy and your personal information

When purchasing stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or other investments for the first time, American financial laws may require you to give the investment company personal details about yourself, including your birth date and social security number, or other identity information. Check the investment firm's reputation carefully before you give it money or personal information.

You can make investments in American financial products that may benefit you, whether or not you happen to be a U.S. citizen. If you have concerns about how any particular investment company will treat your private personal information, find out what identity information the company will need to see, request a written copy of the firm's privacy policy, and ask questions about anything you don't understand.