Author Archives: FLSecurities
I Inherited an IRA Account. Now What?
The answer to that question depends on whether you inherited the IRA account from your spouse or someone other than your spouse, such as your parent, sibling, or close friend. You have more options if you inherited the IRA account from your spouse. If you inherited an IRA from your spouse, you can: Treat… Read More »
SEC Whistleblower Program is Gaining Momentum and Paying Big Bounties
On January 23, the SEC announced that its whistleblower program will pay out to three whistleblowers a combined award of $7 million. The whistleblowers’ awards were for helping the SEC pursue an investment scheme. One whistleblower gave the SEC the initial information that launched the SEC investigation. That whistleblower will receive more than $4… Read More »
What are the pros and cons of taking a 401K loan?
Many employers provide 401k plans for their employees. A 401k plan is a retirement savings plan where employees can save a portion of their pre-tax earnings. Taxes aren’t paid on the money until it is withdrawn from the account. Some, but not all, 401k plans permit employees to take out a loan against the… Read More »
Alternative Investments: Be Careful!!!
As contingency fee lawyers, we evaluate a steady stream of potential securities fraud cases. We meet with investors of all ages and backgrounds who have been cheated, defrauded and tricked into making bogus investments. We evaluate far more cases than we agree to take. One of the most difficult types of cases that we… Read More »
What Types of Misconduct Does FINRA Look For at Brokerage Firms?
FINRA has released its annual examination priorities letter. The letter identifies the specific areas FINRA will be focusing on when it conducts examinations of its member brokerage firms in the coming year. According to FINRA, the list is developed based on trends it has seen in the previous year, as well as concerns expressed… Read More »
Tips for Protecting Your Investments
It’s your money. You worked hard to earn it. It’s taken years to save it. Now you need to protect it. Here are some tips to help you make more informed investment choices and protect yourself from investment scams. Check out the “salesperson.” Just because someone says they have a securities license doesn’t mean… Read More »
What are the Differences Between FINRA Arbitration and Mediation?
When you open a brokerage account, you most always agree to bring any future disputes that arise with your stockbroker or brokerage firm to FINRA for adjudication. This means you give up your right to a jury trial. FINRA offers both arbitration and mediation services. In a nutshell, mediation is where a neutral third-party… Read More »
Will Trump kill the new fiduciary rule?
In the wake of the recent presidential election, speculation abounds that President-elect Trump will kill the Department of Labor’s so-called fiduciary rule, set to take effect in April 2017. Wall Street hates the new rule, as it imposes significant obligations upon them when dealing with IRAs and other retirement accounts. Prior to the new… Read More »
Offers to Recoup a Lost Investment: Are They Legitimate?
If you have lost money in a securities investment, obviously you would be happy to recoup some of those funds. Many companies that offer assistance with recovering lost capital, however, are likely fraudulent. A company may sound credible, have authentic looking documents, and a fancy website, but if the deal sounds too good to… Read More »
Can a FINRA Securities Arbitration Award be Appealed?
Yes, technically, but in reality, no. Under the law, a FINRA securities arbitration award can be appealed, but practically speaking, arbitration awards are rarely changed when appealed. Indeed, under the Federal Arbitration Act and the Florida Arbitration Act, a party has the legal right to file an action in court to vacate or modify… Read More »