Fraud

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  Bruce Bent Cleared in SEC Fraud Charges

  By Melanie Waddell, AdvisorOne  |  November 13, 2012

  Bruce Bent, founder of the first money market fund, was cleared of fraud charges Monday after the SEC alleged that he deceived investors leading up to the Primary Reserve Fund “breaking the buck.”

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  SEC’s Top 6 Tips to Help Seniors Avoid Social Media Fraud

  By Melanie Waddell, AdvisorOne  |  May 4, 2012

  The SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy issued an Investor Bulletin to provide seniors who use social media with safety tips to help them avoid investment fraud.

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  FINRA Fines Merrill $1 Million Over Ponzi Scheme

  By Janet Levaux, AdvisorOne  |  October 4, 2011

  FINRA said Merrill Lynch failed to supervise a San Antonio advisor, who used a Merrill account to operate a Ponzi scheme.

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  Rep. Garrett to SEC: Wait on 'Net Equity' in Madoff Liquidation

  By Melanie Waddell, AdvisorOne  |  October 3, 2011

  Rep. Scott Garrett, R-N.J., told SEC Chairman Mary Schapiro in a letter on Monday to wait on final action in reconsidering the SEC’s position on 'net equity' in the Bernie Madoff case until after the GAO publishes its report evaluating the actions of the SIPC and its trustee.

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  Beware of Fraud in Self-Directed IRAs: SEC, NASAA

  By Melanie Waddell, AdvisorOne  |  September 23, 2011

  The SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy and NASAA issued an Investor Alert warning investors of the potential risks associated with investing through self-directed IRAs.

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  NASAA Warns on Fake Facebook Friends, Offers Ways to Protect Self

  By Joyce Hanson, AdvisorOne  |  September 8, 2011

  Social networks are a prime breeding ground for con artists looking to defraud investors, warns the NASAA. Here are the red flags to spot them, and tips on protecting against them.

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  FINRA Warns Investors to Beware of Gold Stock Scams

  By Joyce Hanson, AdvisorOne  |  August 24, 2011

  In an interview with AdvisorOne on Tuesday, S&P gold equity analyst Leo Larkin said the run-up in gold prices may be overplayed in a heated market. At the same time, FINRA warned against scams.