(StatePoint) Thanks to content being delivered nonstop over social media channels such as TikTok, YouTube and Instagram, financial advice is more accessible than ever before. The bad news? Much of it can be misinformation.

According to CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® professionals, here are some red flags to watch out for, so you can stay on track with your goals:

Lack of qualifications: Someone simply calling themself an expert does not make it so. Look for credentials such as CFP^® certification to indicate that the social media influencer has formal financial planning education and experience.

Guaranteed returns: Offers that sound too good to be true typically are. Be wary of “no risk, high reward” claims.

Pressure: Applying pressure on viewers to act fast could be a sign that you’re watching a scam artist. CFP^® professionals can work with you to plan years and even decades ahead, on goals such as retirement or buying a home. Financial planning can take time.

Sensational language: Is a financial influencer, or “finfluencer,” dismissing traditional retirement accounts as obsolete? Advising that you tie up all your assets in real estate? Be suspicious of bold claims challenging prevailing financial wisdom. It’s important to remember that many influencers operate with one goal in mind: getting views, likes, comments and reshares. While such content is entertaining, it doesn’t necessarily constitute sound financial advice.

Paid promotions: If the influencer is touting a specific solution or product, it could be a sign they are being paid to do so. Financial advice should be delivered with your best interests in mind.

Anecdotal evidence: Every financial situation is unique, so use caution before following advice based on someone’s personal experience. What worked for the content creator may not work for you.

Of course, knowledgeable financial influencers can exist. While their insights can provide general education, there is no substitute for financial advice tailored to your unique situation, delivered by a qualified professional committed to acting in your best interests. To find your CFP^® professional, visit LetsMakeAPlan.org.

While social media has the power to help consumers, there is a lot of distracting background noise out there. Before acting on advice from social media, always pause to consider how it aligns with your long-term financial goals.

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