Wondering if that ‘financial adviser’ is trustworthy? Read this.

UC employees and retirees have raised the alarm about some suspicious messages recently. They’ve reported emails, invitations and cold calls offering retirement counseling from “advisers” who claim to work for or with UC.

Don’t be fooled. UC contracts exclusively with Fidelity Investments for financial education and guidance. To talk one-on-one with a UC-dedicated workplace financial consultant, call (800) 558-9182 (no appointment needed), Monday–Friday, 5:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (PT). You can also make an appointment using Fidelity’s online appointment scheduler for UC employees and retirees.

If you have questions about your UC Retirement Plan pension benefits or the retirement process, you can call the Retirement Administration Service Center at 800-888-8267, Monday–Friday, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (PT), or schedule an appointment with a retirement counselor.

If you prefer to consult an outside investment adviser, it’s important to do your research. Always ask for and carefully read the adviser’s “Form ADV”, which registered investment advisers (RIA) must complete to register and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and/or state securities regulators. The Form ADV reports each RIA’s professional background, including business, ownership, clients, employees, business practices, affiliations, current registrations, employment history, and disclosures about certain disciplinary events involving the individual.

You can view an adviser’s most recent Form ADV online by visiting Investment Adviser Public Disclosure (IAPD), an official US Government site, at adviserinfo.sec.gov.