Defending Against Senior Investment Crime

By Ponce Madas


When Ben and Ida received an invitation for a complimentary gastronome meal if they attended an investment convention, they learned the tough way that there is no such thing as a free lunch. Promised a guaranteed revenue on an investment, the senior couple opened an account with the sponsoring firm, and got cheated out of thousands of bucks. They are not alone. Just about certain that investment fraud lawyers can protect you with any fraud.

A research study by the North American Securities Directors Organisation (NASAA) shows senior investment fraud accounts for almost 50% of all complaints received by state stocks regulators. That number is up from the 2005 survey, when 28% p.c of fraud reports concerned the elderly. The fiscal industry is scattered with slick schemes resulting in damaged dreams for seniors who take the bait. Stories of seniors losing their life savings are much too abundant. Seniors are being targeted thru the web, mail, telephone, in-home visits, and free "financial seminars" specifically customized to large groups of seniors, says Bob Webster, Director of Communications for NASSA. There are plenty of reasons seniors fall prey to fraud, including:

Being too trusting, and too good behaved to be rude Desiring a better rate of return on their money Believing the salesperson is lovely , friendly and caring Being impressed by fancy certificate and titles

These titles can serve as a straightforward way for a unscrupulous sales agent or advisor to gain a senior's trust, which is the 1st step in a successful fraud," says Webster. "It is exceedingly difficult for prospective investors - especially senior citizens - to figure out whether a selected name represents a food credential by the agent or merely an empty promoting device." Financial predators use fear strategies to implant fear in seniors of running out of money and turning into a burden to their families. They evoke distrust in seniors of family members concerning their finances to keep seniors from disclosing the fraud. And they live upon the isolation and isolation, and availability of some retired or widowed seniors. How does one know if a potential investment is legit? Webster claims to contact your state's stocks regulator to determine if the salesperson is licensed in your state to sell the security and if the security is approved for sale in your state. "Usually investments that guarantee or guarantee major returns for little risk are signs of difficulty ahead," he is saying. Investment scams can take many shapes. If it didn't sound great, seniors wouldn't give it another thought! Whatever the tempting investment, conmen use express tactics to get seniors hooked. Be wary of these phrases:

"Your profit is guaranteed." "It's a surprisingly high rate of return." "There's no risk." "You can get in on the ground floor." "You would be a fool to pass this by." "This offer is only available today."

Webster adds, "Remember, if it sounds too fantastic to be true, it usually is.

Precautions to Take

Most investments are some form of instruments that really must be registered with the state stocks regulator or with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Check to confirm if the investing opportunity is registered by making contact with your state instruments regulator. If the potential investment isn't correctly registered, do not invest.

Check the individual. Is the individual properly licensed with the state or with the SEC to sell this product? If not, beware. Is this person a broker, licensed to purchase and offload stocks, bonds and other instruments, or with an investment adviser, someone that is paid to provide information about investing in securities but is not licensed to sell them?

Check the history. Does the person or their firms had any grouses filed against them with regulators? Those that deal with an unofficial securities broker or a firm that later goes out of business, could have no way to recover money. One way carers can help protect their old friends from investment crime is to strive for an open, two-way communication when talking of finances. Make sure the loved one is snug talking about money honestly and overtly without fear of reprisal. If at all possible, have them turn to you, or a trustworthy finance advisor or barrister before going on to make any investment. If a speculator is real, he is going to have no problem speaking to his client's family member before taking the senior's money.




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