Investment and Securities Blog
Welcome to the Law Office of Scott Lane Blog. Here you will find information to help you to be a better-informed investor, including recent regulatory actions, information on specific investment products and general investment news. If you have questions or would like to suggest topics for future posts, please contact me.
Beware of Investment Scams Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Every crisis brings out those who prey on the fears related to that crisis. Scams related to the COVID-19 Pandemic range from email phishing schemes to charity scams to investment scams. As with any investment, research and common sense are the keys.
The Battle over Fiduciary Duty: What’s Going on and Why it Matters
Be aware that titles such as “financial adviser,” “financial professional,” “investment professional,” and the like are meaningless when it comes to what duty is owed to you. If your financial adviser is an “investment adviser” or “investment adviser representative,” he or she owes a duty to you and must always act in your best interest.
CFPB Report Highlights Widespread Elder Financial Exploitation
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has issued a report that, since 2013, financial institutions have reported over 180,000 suspicious activities targeting older adults, involving more than $6 billion in losses.
FINRA Settlement with H. Beck, Inc. Highlights Variable Annuity Traps
On November 18, 2018, FINRA entered into a settlement with H. Beck, Inc., a brokerage firm headquartered in Rockville, MD, fining the firm $400,000 and requiring the review and revision of its policies and procedures relating to the sale of multi-share class variable annuities. The settlement highlights the complexity of variable annuities in general and the traps lying in wait for the unsuspecting investor.