In part 1 of this post, we talked about the role of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) as a forum where investors can arbitrate claims of negligence, improper investment or fraud against their brokers or brokerage firms for problematic investments...
Performing an internet search for information about investment fraud reveals an almost shocking number of news stories on the topic. For example, a former broker and investment advisor was indicted on Aug. 5 in federal court for mail and securities fraud for allegedly...
If you give your broker complete discretion to buy and sell stocks, annuities, mutual funds or other investment instruments because they're the expert and you're not, you're taking some big risks with your money. Most brokers are law-abiding, ethical professionals....
The stock market is giving investors large and small considerable anxiety right now. After more than a decade of a bull market, we're seeing record drops. This is not the time for a financial advisor you can't trust or who's unqualified.Sometimes, investors don't see...
A smart investor is an educated investor. While you trust your financial advisors to a point, you still always have to be on the lookout for problems.When do you know it's time to fire your financial advisor and hire a new one? Here are some of the biggest "red flags"...
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced on Feb. 19 that they have ordered a cryptocurrency company Enigma MPC to return initial coin offering (ICO) funds to its investors. The federal agency is also ordering the blockchain startup to pay fines. The...
Your investment advisor has many different responsibilities. These are commonly referred to as their fiduciary duties. Your portfolio manager must carefully research potential trades before making them and disclose any associated risks with you before doing so. If...
The governor and other elected officials in Kentucky recently warned residents about a number of different scams that they need to watch out for in 2020. It sometimes feels like there are more ways to lose your money than you can count. Officials want residents to be...
When someone tells you about a "can't miss" investment opportunity, do you wonder if it's really just fraud? Are they running a scam? Maybe the way they talk about it tips you off; they say that there is no risk at all, for instance, when you know that all investments...
You've decided to take the plunge and hire a financial adviser. But while the bulk of people in the profession are honest, financial advisers occasionally get a bad rap.So, as you look for someone to help you handle your money, what questions should you ask, and what...
