Ombuds

Who We Help

Retail investors – sometimes referred to as individual investors or Main Street investors – are persons who buy and sell securities for themselves, and not for an institution or organization.  The Ombuds helps retail investors who are unsure about how to handle their concerns, feel they have exhausted all other SEC resources, or want to discuss their matter confidentially.  The Ombuds also assists individuals with issues relating to the self-regulatory organizations (SROs) the SEC oversees and with questions about compliance with the securities laws.

Those we have helped include investors seeking information about Fair Fund distributions to investment fraud victims, individuals having difficulty accessing public company data, and investors with questions and concerns about the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration process.

How We Help

The Ombuds will listen to your inquiries, complaints, and issues, review the information you provide, and help identify procedures, options, and resources. The Ombuds is also available to clarify certain SEC decisions, policies, and practices, and serve as an alternate channel of communication between retail investors and the SEC.

Where an established SEC resolution channel or process exists to address your issue or concern, the Ombuds will direct you to the appropriate SEC staff or resources and may monitor the outcome, if needed.  The Ombuds may also help you identify resources outside of the SEC to help resolve your matters and concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

• [+]Who may contact the Ombuds?

  Retail investors may contact the Ombuds if they have a specific concern about the SEC or a self-regulatory organization (SRO) the SEC oversees. Retail investors and other interested persons may also contact the Ombuds to present questions or issues to the Investor Advocate relating to securities law and policy, or if they wish to present their concerns, questions, or issues in a confidential forum.

• [+]What if I am not a retail investor or my concerns are not about the SEC or an SRO?

  There is a lot of helpful information available on www.sec.gov and through the Additional Resources page. If you are not able to find what you need there, just let us know.

• [+]Will the Ombuds act as my advocate?

  No. The Ombuds does not represent or act as an advocate for any person or entity, and does not take sides on any issues. The Ombuds maintains an impartial, neutral position when resolving problems, complaints, and concerns.

• [+]What law established the Ombuds role at the SEC?

  Section 4(g)(8) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Investor Advocate to appoint an Ombuds to:

  • act as a liaison between the Commission and any retail investor in resolving problems that retail investors may have with the Commission or with a self-regulatory organization (SRO);
  • review policies and procedures and make recommendations to encourage people to present questions to the Investor Advocate regarding compliance with the securities laws; and
  • establish safeguards to maintain the confidentiality of communications between these persons and the Ombuds.

Ombuds Standards of Practice

The Ombuds is guided by three core standards of practice:

• [+]Confidentiality

  The Ombuds generally treats matters as confidential, and takes reasonable steps to maintain the confidentiality of communications. However, the Ombuds may need to contact other SEC divisions or offices, SROs, entities, and/or individuals and share information without permission under certain circumstances including, but not limited to: a threat of imminent risk or serious harm; assertions, complaints, or information relating to violations of the securities laws; allegations of government fraud, waste, or abuse; or if otherwise required by law.

• [+]Impartiality

  The Ombuds does not act as an advocate for any party and does not take sides on any issues. The Ombuds maintains a neutral position and works to resolve matters by clarifying issues and procedures, facilitating discussions, and identifying options and resources.

• [+]Independence

  By statute, the Ombuds reports directly to the Investor Advocate, who reports directly to the Chairman of the SEC. However, the Office of the
  Investor Advocate and the Ombuds are designed to remain somewhat independent from the rest of the SEC. Through the Congressional reports filed every six months by the Investor Advocate, the Ombuds reports directly to Congress without any prior review or comment by the Commission or other Commission staff.