Malecki Law is investigating possible claims against Craig Scott Capital, based in Long Island, NY. According to FINRA BrokerCheck, some customers of the firm have recently filed arbitrations related to the conduct of the firm’s brokers alleging “unsuitability, excessive trading and misrepresentation” against the firm. According to his CRD, the…
New York Securities Fraud Lawyers Blog
SEC Charges Robare Group with Fraud For Failing to Disclose Fee Arrangement with Broker-Dealer
How do you know your investment adviser is solely acting in your best interest? Sadly, even when it comes to picking mutual funds, your investment adviser may still only be thinking of himself or herself. Take for example the allegations in a recent proceeding instituted by the SEC on September…
Are Some Customers Paying Too Much In Fees? The SEC Cracks Down on Linkbrokers
“Is my stockbroker charging me too much in commissions and fees?” This is a common question many investors frequently have. Unfortunately, all too often, the answer to this question is “Yes.” In fact, just yesterday, the SEC announced that it had fined a New York based broker-dealer, Linkbrokers (an affiliate…
Are We Coming Up On A “Sweet Spot” for SEC Whistleblowers?
In only three years, the Dodd-Frank whistleblower program, which promises cash rewards for those whose tips lead to a successful investigation by the SEC, has yielded more than 6,500 tips according to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal. Though traditionally thought of as insiders, tipsters do not just…
Bitcoin Update: Alerts and Guidance Issued by the SEC, FINRA and IRS
It’s Buyer Beware, according to guidance and alerts issued recently by the SEC, FINRA and IRS concerning risks inherent in Bitcoin. Bitcoin is described by all three offices as a decentralized, peer-to-peer virtual currency that can be used in place of, and traded for, traditional currencies, though is not backed…
Oil and Gas Limited Partnerships Can Be Extremely Risky Investments
Much has been made in the recent months about supposed growth in the oil and gas markets, including speculation, such as the recent article on www.forbes.com that increasing demand will be preceded by increased investment in infrastructure that would bring the product to market. Regardless of the potential growth as…
Is Your Broker Charging You A Fair Commission?
Is your broker charging you a fair commission? Not surprisingly, many investors do not fully understand how much they are paying in fees and commissions to their broker-dealer, and disparities from firm to firm can be wide and difficult to decipher. A recent study conducted by the North American Securities…
Biggest Recent FINRA Fines Point to Poor Supervision at Large Broker-Dealers
Apparently the opportunity for bad brokers to engage in wrongful conduct is enabled by big brokerage firms, as recent Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) fines indicate that these businesses fail to properly supervise their foot soldiers. The FINRA Rules, including Rule 3010, make clear that broker-dealers are the securities gatekeepers,…
Managed Futures Fund Fees: When Is Enough Enough?
When are money management fees too much? It is hard to imagine that any investor who has sought the guidance of professional financial advisors has not asked himself or herself this question at least once – most likely more. In the case of managed futures, the CFTC is asking that…
FINRA Files LPL Financial for Failures to Supervise Alternative Investments
LPL Financial LLC has been hit again for supervisory failures stemming from the recommendation of non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs), as well as other illiquid investments, begging the question whether the fines are large enough to deter future bad conduct. According to a news release dated March 24, 2014,…