Securities fraud attorneys are currently investigating claims on behalf of customers of ProEquities Inc. Allegedly, ProEquities has engaged in the inappropriate sale of speculative and illiquid investments, including non-traded REITs. In one recent claim, a couple from Minnesota read an ad in the newspaper that reportedly contained the words “Retirement”…
Articles Posted in Suitability
Non-traded REITs: Five Firms to Pay $7 Million in Massachusetts Settlement
On May 22, 2013, secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Galvin announced settlements with five major independent broker-dealers. According to the settlements, Ameriprise Financial Services Inc. will pay $2.6 million in restitution to investors and a $400,000 fine, Commonwealth Financial Network will pay restitution of $2.1 million and a…
American Capital Agency, American Capital Mortgage REIT Investors Could Recover Losses
Investment fraud lawyers are currently investigating claims on behalf of investors who suffered significant losses in two mortgage REITs, American Capital Agency and American Capital Mortgage, following the announcement of 2013 first-quarter results. For the first quarter of 2013, American Capital Mortgage suffered losses of $0.56 per share and American…
VSR Financial Services Customers Could Recover Losses
Investment fraud lawyers are currently investigating claims on behalf of investors who suffered significant losses as a result of doing business with VSR Financial Services and/or Michael David Shaw, a financial advisor. Allegedly, Shaw and VSR Financial Services may have engaged in misconduct in connection with the sales of REITs,…
Broker-dealers’ Info Regarding Non-traded REITs is Inadequate, FINRA Says
Earlier this month, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) issued a notice to broker-dealers stating that in some cases, they have not provided adequate service to investors in several areas, including the distribution of materials containing inaccurate and misleading statements related to non-traded real estate investment trusts, or REITs. Many…
Retirees Targeted for Excessive Trading, Unsuitable Recommendation of REITs
Securities fraud attorneys are cautioning retirees regarding two potential threats to their retirement investments. Many retirees have suffered significant losses as a result of unsuitable recommendations of risky, illiquid investments. In other cases, losses have resulted from excessive trading in customer accounts. Reportedly, many seniors are being persuaded to invest…
Recovery of Apple REIT Losses Still Possible Through Arbitration
Investors are disappointed, to say the least, that a federal judge recently dismissed an investor class action lawsuit related to the sale of Apple REITs by David Lerner Associates Inc. However, stock fraud lawyers say that this decision will have absolutely no impact on arbitration cases filed against Lerner with…
Morgan Stanley Broker Allegedly Traded on Customer Accounts without Permission
Investment fraud lawyers are currently investigating claims on behalf of customers of Morgan Stanley and other full-service brokerage firms who were the victim of unauthorized trading or discretionary trading on a non-discretionary account without receiving prior written authorization. According to FINRA’s discretionary rule, “No member or registered representative shall exercise…
REIT Investors May be Unaware They Suffered Significant Losses
According to securities fraud attorneys, many investors may be unaware of the fact that they have suffered losses in non-traded real estate investment trusts, or REITs. Financial statements for REITs usually reflect the investment’s initial purchase price, not the current value of the REIT; this can mislead investors into believing…
Ameriprise REIT Sales Under Investigation
Securities arbitration lawyers are currently investigating claims on behalf of investors who purchased risky non-traded REITs through Ameriprise Financial. Reportedly, Ameriprise Financial was one of the biggest non-traded real estate investment trust sellers and, in some cases, may not have properly advised customers as to the risks associated with non-traded…