Articles Posted in Investor Education

Andre Martin, a special agent in charge of the Internal Revenue Service- Criminal Investigation Washington Field Office which covers the virginia, Maryland and Washington D.C. area, has published, in The Tidewater News, some wise words of caution to all regarding tax scams and schemes that we should beware of. Martin offers this advice in hopes that…

According to Richard Burnett of the Orlando Sentinel, investment fraud is on the rise in Florida. Regulators in Florida say that the number of complaints in Florida about suspicious investment activity has more than doubled. Last year alone regulators at the state Office of Financial Regulation has received 425 complaints.  So, far this year regulators have received…

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has issued an “investor alert” warning individuals to be wary of free seminars boasting a free meal. Investors are frequently being invited to fancy restaurants with the promise of an expensive meal at no cost where they are given a free seminar that “educates” them about investing or managing money during…

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that financial advisors are turning back time and returning to the old ways of their business. As a result of economic downturn most client assets have diminished by 20%-50%, which produces a similar drop in the earnings of those advisors that are fee-based. Brokers are now moving their clients from fee-based…

According to today’s Wall Street Journal in an article entitled Brokers Abandon Wall Street, the number of brokers leaving brokerage firms is on the rise due to slumping markets and shrinking fees.  In April alone, 2,800 brokers left the securities industry.  At this pace, 35,000 brokers will exit the industry by year end.  That would be record by a…

An article in today’s Wall Street Journal entitled SEC Takes On Target-Date Funds, discusses the SEC’s efforts to improve disclosures made in these popular investments. What are Target-Date Funds? Like most mutual funds, Target-Date Funds invest in a mix stocks and fixed income investments.  What makes these mutual funds different is that the percentage of asset classes change over…

It is no secret that the stock market has most of us shaking our heads these days.   Millions of Americans are watching their nest eggs dwindle.  Baby boomers have been hit the hardest because there may not be enough time to make up the losses. Amazingly, most Americans do not know that their financial advisors…

With the state of the market as it is, individuals are more desperate making them more susceptible to fraudulent schemes. Investment fraud scammers are looking to take advantage of trusting individuals and will have no problem scamming folks out of their entire life savings.  Therefore it is critical for people to be on the look…

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has issued an alert warning investors to look out for several red flags of fraud. To avoid becoming a victim of investment fraud be on the lookout for the following red flags: 1) Guarantees: Always remember that all investments have a certain degree of risk. Beware of anyone who guarantees performance of an investment. 2)…

When looking for a broker or an investment advisor, of course, the idea is to find someone that you trust who will work with you to meet you financial goals. However, often individuals are lured by flashy advertisements and promises of great return on their money.  People trust what they hear and often fail to research…