[Post updated March 2021] When this post was first written in 2011, Ameriprise had just released its annual report, which showed its securities broker dealer subsidiary, Securities America, was hemorrhaging cash. Securities America’s capital had dropped by a whopping 86% in just one year as the company defended itself against investor lawsuits. The company’s actual […]
Can David Lerner Associates Survive?
My first encounter with David Lerner Associates came in July 2011. That month I spoke with a pleasant woman who had invested heavily with a David Lerner Associates broker in an Apple REIT (real estate investment trust). She was calling for advice on whether she accept their offer to buy back her REIT investment. “At […]
Is Bambi Holzer A Fraud? Some People Think So
Bambi Holzer – investment adviser to celebrities and prolific author of books on money and investing. In 2007, she published “Financial Bliss.” According to one review, the book is a valuable “guide that helps couples solve money problems and create a life plan.” Dozens of former clients have a different opinion; they think she almost […]
Investment Fraud Roundup – September 2013
This post summarizes recent enforcement actions against stockbrokers. You may be able to recover your money if you suffered losses as a result of investment fraud, unregistered offerings of securities, excessive trades, unauthorized trades, bad investment advice (suitability rules), or broker misconduct. Kevin Cline, Robert Burr, Vincent Christopher & Thomas Gilleland – Source Capital Group Kevin […]
Cockroaching – New Trend in Investment Fraud Cases
“Cockroaching” – I must admit until I picked up today’s Wall Street Journal, I wasn’t familiar with term. Although the term was new to me, the underlying practice is unfortunately well known in the world of investment fraud lawyers. Cockroaching refers to the practice of stockbrokers jumping from one troubled brokerage firm to another. The […]
Massachusetts Targets REITs… Again
We have written many posts about REITs – Real Estate Investment Trusts. They can be great investments but many have liquidity problems. Stockbrokers often recommend them to the wrong customers as well. In May, Massachusetts Secretary of State William Gavin announced that five brokerage firms had agreed to pay restitution of $6.1 million to settle […]
Investment Fraud – "Guaranteed Returns" Was Really a Scam
Every week we hear about people who gave money to a promoter offering “guaranteed returns.” About the only thing guaranteed is the loss of all or most your money. Unless you are putting money into government savings bond, nothing is guaranteed. (Many of our readers would question the safety of savings bonds!) One of the […]
Nikolai Battoo – 10 Months Later
With great fanfare and a big press release, the SEC sued Nikolai Battoo, Tracy Sunderlage and BC Capital in September of 2012. A great number of stock fraud lawyers blasted the Internet hoping to drum up clients. If the SEC is correct, Nikolai Battoo and company have ripped off investors to the tune of $1.5 […]
Stock Fraud Post – "Outside Business Activities"
Stock fraud is a hot topic these days. With interest rates at all time lows, investors are demanding higher returns. Financial professionals such as stockbrokers and investment advisers have limited options. Although there are some high yield alternative investments available, most are too risky for the average investor. Good brokers are honest with their clients […]
Lincoln Financial Advisors Rep Sanctioned By FINRA
Lincoln Financial Advisors says it wants to be the country’s “premier fee-based financial planning firm.” A recent decision by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s (FINRA) Enforcement Department suggests that the firm is off to a rocky start. FINRA sanctioned former registered rep and investment advisor William Babb III with “trading away” and failure to cooperate […]
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