The securities industry is one of the most regulated, largely because of the high potential for fraud and abuse. Various laws and regulations protect investors by imposing requirements on securities transactions and the people who facilitate them. Individual brokers and brokerage firms must be registered and licensed with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) before they are permitted to conduct securities transactions. FINRA also administers a number of exams that provide certification for selling specific kinds of securities. All of these regulations exist to protect investors from fraudulent conduct by brokers. Nevertheless, brokers occasionally attempt to skirt the rules and offer private deals to their clients. Not only do these transactions violate FINRA rules, they also pose additional risks for investors. What Is Selling Away? Selling away describes the practice of selling securities in unauthorized private transactions outside the regular scope of the broker’s business. Need Legal Help? Let’s talk. or, give us a ring at 561-338-0037. Brokerage firms maintain a list of approved securities their brokers are allowed to offer. By approving products ahead of time, brokerage firms ensure that their brokers sell only securities that are vetted and verified as legitimate products. Brokers sell away when they offer their clients securities not on the firm’s approved product list. Brokers may sell away if they want to make extra commissions without sharing with their firm. Selling away is not always malicious; sometimes, a broker means well but isn’t able to offer the securities a client wants through normal channels. Regardless of the broker’s intent, however, FINRA prohibits selling away and sanctions brokers for doing so. Common Examples of Selling Away While there is no specific form a selling-away transaction takes, they frequently involve certain types of investments. These investments include: Deals that involve selling away often exhibit the same red flags as other types of investment fraud, like Ponzi schemes. Excessively high or consistent returns are indicators that the deal is probably too good to be true. What Are the Risks of Investing in Securities That Are Sold Away? Investments of all kinds carry a certain level of risk. However, investing in a selling-away deal carries more risk because they come without the safeguards that accompany approved investments. Lack of screening First, selling-away deals involve securities that are not screened by the brokerage firm. Brokerage firms screen the products they offer for a reason: to make sure that their customers have access to solid investments. Without these safeguards, investors are taking on significantly higher risk. Lack of disclosures Second, selling away deals rarely include the formal risk disclosures found with approved brokerage products. There is no review of the investment by the brokerage’s compliance department, and the exact nature of the risk involved may be unclear. Less accountability Finally, it may be harder to recover losses. When a broker engages in an approved transaction, the brokerage takes on liability for the broker’s activity. Because brokerages are often completely unaware of selling-away transactions, it is much harder to prove liability on the part of the brokerage. In the case of significant investor losses, this can mean less money recovered overall. Selling-Away FINRA Regulations There are two main FINRA regulations that cover selling away: Rule 3270 and Rule 3280. FINRA Rule 3270 prohibits brokers from engaging in activities that are outside of the broker’s relationship with their brokerage firm unless written notice is provided to the firm. FINRA Rule 3280 is similar, and prohibits brokers from engaging in private securities transactions (including selling away) without first providing written notice to their firm. After receiving that notice, the member firm may approve or disapprove the transaction. If the firm approves, then the firm supervises and records the transaction. Disapproval, on the other hand, prohibits the broker from participation in the transaction either directly or indirectly. What Are the Penalties for Selling Away? Both brokers and brokerage firms can be held liable when a broker sells away. FINRA regulations require brokers to offer securities products suitable for each of their client’s needs. Brokers must account for their clients’ objectives, level of investing sophistication, and risk tolerances. When a broker fails to fulfill this obligation, FINRA may sanction, suspend, or bar the broker from the financial industry. According to FINRA’s Sanctions Guidelines, Brokers who engage in selling away open themselves up to monetary sanctions between $2,500 and $77,000 for each rule violation. For serious violations, FINRA may suspend the broker for up to two years or permanently bar them from practicing as a broker. The severity of the penalty depends on several factors: Because selling away involves transactions outside of a broker’s relationship with their brokerage firm, holding the firm responsible for investor losses is more difficult. Nevertheless, a brokerage firm may still be liable for the conduct of its brokers under FINRA regulations. Brokerage firms have an obligation to supervise the brokers with which they are associated. Failure to do so may result in the firm’s liability to the investor. How Do I Recover Losses from Selling Away Deals? Investors can try to recover their losses through several formal and informal methods. Speaking with a selling away lawyer is the best way to determine which method is right for your situation. FINRA Arbitration Many brokerage firms require their customers to sign mandatory arbitration clauses. If this is the case, then the investor must use FINRA’s arbitration process rather than filing a lawsuit. Arbitration starts when the investor files a claim. From there, the parties go through similar procedures to those in the regular court system. Each side will engage in discovery and present their case at a hearing before an arbitrator. The arbitrator is responsible for reviewing the evidence and ultimately issuing a decision and award. Contacting Your Brokerage Firm A brokerage firm’s compliance department may be interested in reaching a resolution without involving the courts. In some cases, investors recover losses from their broker’s selling away deals through mediation. FINRA provides access to informal mediation to facilitate a mutually acceptable agreement between...
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CRD, or Central Registration Depository, is a comprehensive database maintained by FINRA of all registered securities professionals and firms, providing an invaluable resource for investors. Investors can use a CRD number to access information about any broker or investment advisor, including their employment history, qualifications, examinations taken and passed, licenses held, disciplinary actions and more. Brokers and brokerage firms must register with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) before they can legally sell securities in the United States. By maintaining a registration system, FINRA can better monitor and record the activities of registered brokers. These registrations are also open to the public, so investors can review the backgrounds of potential brokers before entrusting them with their money. You can look up your broker and brokerage firm by using their unique CRD (Central Registration Depository) number. What Is a Broker CRD Number? CRD (Central Registration Depository) numbers are unique identification numbers assigned by FINRA to registered brokers and brokerage firms. You can use the CRD number to look up a broker or brokerage firm’s disciplinary history, qualifications and other detailed information. Need Legal Help? Let’s talk. or, give us a ring at 561-338-0037. Central Registration Depository (CRD) & FINRA FINRA manages the Central Registration Depository (CRD) program. This program covers the licensing and registration of individuals and firms in the securities industry in the United States. When a broker or firm registers with FINRA, the regulator assigns them a CRD number. Investors can use a broker’s CRD number to check that broker’s work history and disciplinary record using BrokerCheck. A broker’s profile on BrokerCheck will contain useful information for investors. On any given profile, investors can find information related to Complaints and regulatory actions are called “disclosures,” and investors can see details about each one using BrokerCheck. If the claim was settled, BrokerCheck displays the settlement along with the claimed allegations and the broker’s response, if any. Why It’s Important to Investigate a Potential Broker An investment broker is responsible for handling a significant portion of your assets. For that reason, you should learn as much about them as possible before giving them control. Doing your research before handing over your money can save you time and stress in the long run by helping you avoid unscrupulous brokers. If a broker’s disclosure history shows several complaints, each of which the broker denies, you can make the decision to move on or bring up your concerns. In any case, having more information about your broker’s past allows you to make a smarter decision about who is managing your money. How to Find a Broker’s CRD Number Before engaging a broker, you have the legal right to request their CRD number. If a broker refuses to provide this information to you, stop and find another broker to work with. Any broker unwilling to give you their CRD number likely has something to hide and is probably not someone with whom you want to invest. While asking your broker directly is the fastest way to get their CRD number, the information materials and agreement you receive before engaging your broker will likely contain this information as well. Regardless of how you obtain it, searching your broker’s CRD number is an important step when hiring a broker. How to Do a FINRA BrokerCheck CRD Number Search Finding information about a broker or firm in the past used to be a hassle. Fortunately, BrokerCheck makes it easy to research a broker with whom you want to invest. After visiting the BrokerCheck website, there are a few things you can do to check out a broker or firm. Search by CRD Number, Broker, or Firm Name Using the “Individual” or “Firm” search options, you can search for your broker by CRD number or name. Because many brokers may have the same or similar names, using a CRD number ensures that you find the right BrokerCheck report. You can also search for a specific brokerage firm using its CRD number or name. Doing so will return a report with much the same information as a broker search. Additionally, you can see a list of the direct owners and executive officers of the firm and information about when the firm was established. Examine Your Broker’s Employment History and Experience In the “Previous Registrations” section of the BrokerCheck report, you can see a chronological list of the firms with which the broker was previously registered. If you are concerned about gaps in employment or short tenures, you can discuss them with your broker. Check Your Broker’s Licenses and Exam History BrokerCheck also provides a comprehensive list of the examinations and licenses your broker has obtained. In addition to FINRA registration, your broker may have broker or financial adviser registrations in other states. The “Examinations” section shows you the date and type of exam your broker passed. If you are interested in a specific type of security or curious about the broker’s overall certification status, you can check that there. Read Through Any Disclosures BrokerCheck disclosures cover not only customer disputes and disciplinary actions but employment terminations, bankruptcy filings, and criminal and civil proceedings as well. If a broker was the subject of a court-ordered lien or other debt, it will show up with the other disclosures. This is the most important section to review while researching your broker. If there are no disclosures, then you’re good to go. If there are, however, then you should read through them carefully to decide whether to find another broker. Just because a customer dispute is filed does not mean that the broker engaged in wrongdoing. In many cases, the claim may not even reference the individual broker directly even if it shows up in the BrokerCheck report. Essentially, the existence of one or more disclosures does not automatically mean that the broker is bad. You should review and follow up on any disclosures you are concerned about. Do You Need a FINRA Attorney? If you’ve lost money and believe you are a victim of investment...
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Stockbroker fraud is, unfortunately, all too common. Investors typically understand that there is always some risk when investing in the stock market. However, what they don’t expect is for their broker to intentionally deceive them and engage in illegal activities to make a profit. Brokers are strictly regulated by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and must adhere to a fiduciary standard when providing advice to their clients. When a stockbroker fails to act in the most beneficial manner for their client, they may be participating in unlawful activity known as stockbroker fraud. What is Stockbroker Fraud? Stockbroker fraud is any act committed by a broker or financial advisor that violates the securities laws or their fiduciary duty to their client, generally in an effort to gain profits for themselves or their firm. Need Legal Help? Let’s talk. or, give us a ring at 561-338-0037. There are many different ways a stockbroker may violate their legal and ethical obligations towards their clients. If a broker commits securities fraud, their employer – which is often a large brokerage firm – will be held accountable for any losses the client suffers. 12 Common Types of Stockbroker Fraud Below are the most common examples of stockbroker fraud and other stockbroker misconduct: Recommending Unsuitable Investments Brokers have an obligation to make sure that any investments they recommend are suitable for the investor’s individual needs and objectives. If a broker recommends a high-risk investment to someone who is looking for conservative, low-risk options, this could be seen as unsuitable advice. Unsuitable investments can lead to serious losses for the investor, so it is important that brokers provide advice tailored to their clients’ individual needs and goals. Outright Theft or Misappropriation of Funds This is one of the most serious forms of stockbroker fraud. It involves a broker taking money from their client’s account without authorization and using it for their own personal gain. This could include transferring funds to accounts they control or even selling securities in the client’s account and pocketing the proceeds. There are many different ways brokers can steal from their clients, so it’s important for investors to closely monitor their accounts. If you find unusually large transactions or other suspicious activity, you should contact a stockbroker fraud attorney. Churning (Excessive Trading) Churning occurs when a broker engages in excessive buying and selling of securities in a client’s account, often for the purpose of generating commissions. While some trading activity is expected with any investment strategy, churning can be seen as irresponsible behavior that only benefits the broker while putting the investor at risk. You can often spot churning by looking for unusually high commission charges or a large number of transactions with short holding periods. Unauthorized Trading on a Client’s Account Similar to churning, unauthorized trading occurs when a broker executes trades in a client’s account without their knowledge or authorization. This is an illegal activity that can be seen as a form of theft if the broker does not have the client’s permission to act on their behalf. Unauthorized trading can also be seen as a breach of fiduciary duty, since the broker should have obtained their client’s consent before entering into any transactions. Lack of Diversification Another form of stock broker fraud is a lack of diversification. This occurs when a broker invests all or most of the client’s money in one type of security, such as stocks, bonds, or mutual funds. Diversifying an investment portfolio can help reduce risk and maximize returns, so failing to diversify a client’s investments could be seen as a breach of fiduciary duty. Misrepresenting or Omitting Information It is the responsibility of a stockbroker to provide accurate and complete information about any investment they recommend. If they fail to do so, or intentionally misrepresent the facts, this could be seen as a form of stock broker fraud. Not only that, but they must also disclose any risks associated with the investments they recommend. Failing to do so could lead to serious losses for their clients. Failing to Follow Instructions In most cases, your broker is ethically and contractually compelled to follow your directions when you’re buying or selling stock. If you instruct your broker to make a certain trade, and they fail to do so, this could be seen as a breach of their duties. In some situations, the broker won’t flat-out ignore your instructions but might attempt to persuade you into keeping a stock that you wanted to sell, for their benefit rather than yours. Failure of a broker to follow your instructions, and even improper pressure to change your instructions, can be grounds for recovering your loss. Over-Concentration of Assets Over-concentration occurs when a broker invests too much of a client’s money in one particular security or sector. This is risky, as it could cause the investor to suffer significant losses if that security or sector declines in value. Imagine if your broker recommended investing all of your money in a structured product, and then the structured product suddenly declined. You could find yourself with a margin call or a forced liquidation of your portfolio. Failure to Disclose a Personal Interest in a Security Brokers owe their clients a duty of disclosure, meaning they must disclose any personal interest they have in security before recommending it. Imagine if your broker recommended that you invested in a certain stock only for you to later find out they had a majority ownership stake in the company. Of course, you would be upset. You have a legal right to expect your broker to put your interests first. Failing to disclose their personal stake in the security could be seen as a breach of fiduciary duty and constitute stock broker fraud. Negligent Portfolio Management A big reason you hired a broker in the first place was to get professional advice on how to manage your investments. If the broker fails to follow through on their duties and takes actions that are deemed negligent, this could be seen as a form of stockbroker fraud. When it...
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