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Articles Posted in Elder Fraud

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In our Silver Law securities arbitration and investment arbitration blogs, we highlight individuals who were caught taking financial advantage of their investment clients. In many cases, the investors are elderly, and sometimes, inexperienced at investing. And in some cases, the brokers and advisors are elderly themselves, caught committing fraud after a successful decades-long career. These individuals should understand what constitutes fraud, particularly against elderly clients. Still, they do it anyway. Many times, these elderly clients do not completely understand the complex investment information they are presented with. Some may be too polite to ask questions or challenge the representative. In other cases, they may be experiencing the beginnings of cognitive decline that isn’t  obvious and hasn’t yet been detected by family or their physician. This lapse in mental acuity can allow a fast-talking broker to convince them of something to which they would otherwise say “no.” The Increasing Elderly Demographic Although California has the largest number of elderly citizens, Florida has the highest percentage of elderly residents in the US. A full 19% of Florida’s population is over 65, and the numbers are increasing. It’s estimated that by 2050, elderly people in the US will top 80 million. Many of these elderly are financially well-off, and some are millionaires. A number of them will pass along their wealth to their children and grandchildren. These sums may be transferred more than once through parentage. So it’s highly likely that these elders can and will be targeted for fraud by any number of people. From distant family members who are suddenly friendly to caretakers, neighbors, brokers and financial advisors, and “new friends,” they all see an elderly person with money as an easy target.  In our Silver Law securities arbitration and investment arbitration blogs, we highlight individuals who were caught taking financial advantage of their investment clients. In many cases, the investors are elderly, and sometimes, inexperienced at investing. And in some cases, the brokers and advisors are elderly themselves, caught committing fraud after a successful decades-long career. These individuals should understand what constitutes fraud, particularly against elderly clients. Still, they do it anyway. Continue reading ›

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It’s a story we’ve heard repeatedly: an elderly individual has been fleeced out of a large sum of money. In many cases, it was all the money they had, and don’t have a clue on how to get it back. Americans over the age of 65 are 15% of the general population and hold a considerable amount of wealth. Many elders are particularly trusting of people when they shouldn’t be. Because they mistakenly trust someone that took advantage of them, they may be too embarrassed to speak up or press charges. In many cases, the victim is dependent on the abuser for their everyday needs, such as a relative or hired caretaker. Some elders have pensions and investments to pay their expenses, whereas others have on Social Security as their only source of their income. Fraudsters pay no attention to income source or level. In short, the answer is: yes. But that doesn’t mean elder financial fraud is being ignored.It’s a story we’ve heard repeatedly: an elderly individual has been fleeced out of a large sum of money. In many cases, it was all the money they had, and don’t have a clue on how to get it back.

Americans over the age of 65 are 15% of the general population and hold a considerable amount of wealth. Many elders are particularly trusting of people when they shouldn’t be. Continue reading ›

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The US Justice Department today announced the conviction and sentencing of two former employees of SunTrust Bank who pled guilty to financial exploitation of an elderly person. Former SunTrust bankers Rashad Liverpool, 28, and Robert Tillery, 45, were each sentenced on March 5 after conviction of financial exploitation of an elderly person, in violation of Title 22, D.C. Code, Section 933.01(a)(3). The victim, a 72-year old military widow and bank client, had diminished capacities. During the summer of 2018, both Liverpool and Tillery paid frequent visits to the victim after normal business hours. This was a clear violation of SunBank’s policies. Elder financial abuse is on the rise. Florida is home to many seniors and others on a fixed income. Stockbrokers, financial advisors and other professionals frequently have insight into their clients financials and earn their trust. However, a fiduciary should never borrow, take or steal money from their clients. Our attorneys represent investors whose funds are improperly taken by their advisors or are the victim of financial elder abuse.The US Justice Department today announced the conviction and sentencing of two former employees of SunTrust Bank who pled guilty to financial exploitation of an elderly person.

Former SunTrust bankers Rashad Liverpool, 28, and Robert Tillery, 45, were each sentenced on March 5 after conviction of financial exploitation of an elderly person, in violation of Title 22, D.C. Code, Section 933.01(a)(3). Continue reading ›

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Cynthia Cowden (Cynthia Diane Cowden CRD#: 2054676) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose last known employer was NPB Financial Group, LLC (CRD#:137743) of Lake Isabella, CA. Her previous employers include Tricor Financial, LLC (CRD#:142518) and Next Financial Group, Inc. (CRD#:46214), also of Lake Isabella, and Advantage Capital Corporation (CRD#:146) of Atlanta, GA. She has been in the industry since 1990. A client dispute filed on 1/29/2020 alleged that Cowden committed:  Negligence, suitability, negligent misrepresentation and omission; intentional misrepresentation and omission; fraud; violation of California securities laws. Control person liability; breach of fiduciary duty; failure to supervise; unsuitability; over concentration, breach of FINRA rules; breach of contract; loss of investment opportunity; and financial elder abuse. The client requested damages of $80,589.00, and the firm settled the claim for $57,000. FINRA responded to complaints from their Senior Helpline from a married couple and a single investor regarding the unsuitable recommendations they received from Cowden. From August 2016 through December 2017, Cowden recommended very high-risk investments to them. All three lived in California, and were inexperienced investors.Cynthia Cowden (Cynthia Diane Cowden CRD#: 2054676) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose last known employer was NPB Financial Group, LLC (CRD#:137743) of Lake Isabella, CA. Her previous employers include Tricor Financial, LLC (CRD#:142518) and Next Financial Group, Inc. (CRD#:46214), also of Lake Isabella, and Advantage Capital Corporation (CRD#:146) of Atlanta, GA. She has been in the industry since 1990. Continue reading ›

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Roger Duval (Roger Allen Duval CRD#: 2503718) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose last known employer was Pruco Securities, LLC. (CRD#:5685) of Bellevue, WA.  His previous employers include MML Investors Services, LLC (CRD#:10409) and MSI Financial Services, Inc. (CRD#:14251) both of Spokane, WA, and Allstate Financial Services, LLC (CRD#:18272) of Liberty Lake, WA.  He has been in the industry since 1994. Duval is the subject of nine disclosures. A recent client dispute filed on 9/11/2020 alleges that Duval borrowed an unspecified amount of money in March of 2018, and has failed to pay it back. Beginning in January of 2019, Duval made “unspecified unsuitable recommendations,” and began making unauthorized transfers away from the firm without the knowledge and consent of the client. This case is currently “pending,” and no requested damages are noted. On 3/2/2020, a different client dispute alleges that Duval misappropriated funds, and failed to fully disclose facts regarding the client’s investment objective. This claim was denied. No further information is available.Roger Duval (Roger Allen Duval CRD#: 2503718) is a former registered broker and investment advisor whose last known employer was Pruco Securities, LLC. (CRD#:5685) of Bellevue, WA.  His previous employers include MML Investors Services, LLC (CRD#:10409) and MSI Financial Services, Inc. (CRD#:14251) both of Spokane, WA, and Allstate Financial Services, LLC (CRD#:18272) of Liberty Lake, WA.  He has been in the industry since 1994. Continue reading ›

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Scott Silver, managing partner of Silver Law Group, has sent letters to Florida’s U.S. Senators, Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, expressing support for, and asking the senators to support, the Edith Shorougian Senior Victims Of Fraud Compensation Act of 2020 (Edith’s Bill). Edith’s Bill would provide a recovery pool for elderly investors who have been defrauded. Provisions in the bill would amend the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 so that seniors victimized by financial fraud would be eligible for reimbursement from the Crimes Victim Fund.Scott Silver, managing partner of Silver Law Group, has sent letters to Florida’s U.S. Senators, Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, expressing support for, and asking the senators to support, the Edith Shorougian Senior Victims Of Fraud Compensation Act of 2020 (Edith’s Bill).

Edith’s Bill would provide a recovery pool for elderly investors who have been defrauded. Provisions in the bill would amend the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 so that seniors victimized by financial fraud would be eligible for reimbursement from the Crimes Victim Fund. Continue reading ›

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The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is suing Frederick Stow (Frederick Markley Stow), a barred broker last employed by Raymond James in Nashville, Tennessee, for allegedly defrauding two senior citizens of over $943,500. “As alleged in our complaint, Stow took advantage of these seniors, abusing his access to their brokerage accounts to generate income for himself,” said Justin Jefferies, assoc. regional director, SEC’s Atlanta regional office. The SEC seeks the return of alleged ill-gotten gains, interest, injunctive relief, and a penalty. Federal prosecutors also filed criminal charges against Stow.The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is suing Frederick Stow (Frederick Markley Stow), a barred broker last employed by Raymond James in Nashville, Tennessee, for allegedly defrauding two senior citizens of over $943,500.

“As alleged in our complaint, Stow took advantage of these seniors, abusing his access to their brokerage accounts to generate income for himself,” said Justin Jefferies, assoc. regional director, SEC’s Atlanta regional office. The SEC seeks the return of alleged ill-gotten gains, interest, injunctive relief, and a penalty.

Federal prosecutors also filed criminal charges against Stow. Continue reading ›

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Stockbrokers should not borrow money from their clients. That’s according to FINRA Rule 3240, which states that unless the stockbroker is an immediate family member or their firm has specific written procedures about borrowing and lending, then borrowing from a customer constitutes a violation. Silver Law Group helps investors recover money lost to stockbroker misconduct and elder financial fraud. Contact us today for a no-cost, confidential consultation at 1-800-975-4345.   Although prohibited, stockbrokers do still borrow and misappropriate from their customers. Sometimes it is from an older client who does not understand what is happening or cannot consent, which can be considered elder financial fraud.Stockbrokers should not borrow money from their clients. That’s according to FINRA Rule 3240, which states that unless the stockbroker is an immediate family member or their firm has specific written procedures about borrowing and lending, then borrowing from a customer constitutes a violation.

Silver Law Group helps investors recover money lost to stockbroker misconduct and elder financial fraud. Contact us today for a no-cost, confidential consultation at 1-800-975-4345.  

Although prohibited, stockbrokers do still borrow and misappropriate from their customers. Sometimes it is from an older client who does not understand what is happening or cannot consent, which can be considered elder financial fraud. Continue reading ›

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FINRA has released a new report illustrating the growth over the last five years of the FINRA Securities Helpline for Seniors and its efforts to provide support, resources, and education to senior investors. Silver Law Group continues to help seniors who are defrauded by stockbrokers and other financial advisors in elder financial fraud cases. Unfortunately, we continue to see a rise in elder fraud cases, especially relating to promises of conservative investments that will provide income without risk to principal. Many of these cases involved illiquid or non-traded investment products including Reg D offerings, private placements, and real estate projects. Our experience is bolstered by FINRA’s report that the senior helpline has experienced a rise in calls.FINRA has released a new report illustrating the growth over the last five years of the FINRA Securities Helpline for Seniors and its efforts to provide support, resources, and education to senior investors. Silver Law Group continues to help seniors who are defrauded by stockbrokers and other financial advisors in elder financial fraud cases.

Unfortunately, we continue to see a rise in elder fraud cases, especially relating to promises of conservative investments that will provide income without risk to principal. Many of these cases involved illiquid or non-traded investment products including Reg D offerings, private placements, and real estate projects. Our experience is bolstered by FINRA’s report that the senior helpline has experienced a rise in calls. Continue reading ›

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FINRA requested comments on its proposed rule to limit registered representatives from being “named as a customer’s beneficiary or holding a position of trust for or on behalf of a customer.” Silver Law Group, a nationally-recognized investor rights law firm, has submitted a comment letter to FINRA that states our support for addressing this issue. Submitted by managing partner, Scott Silver, Esq., he comments that our firm has seen a rise in cases involving stockbrokers who improperly borrow money from clients, pressure clients to make the financial advisor part of the estate, and other trust and estate issues.FINRA requested comments on its proposed rule to limit registered representatives from being “named as a customer’s beneficiary or holding a position of trust for or on behalf of a customer.” Silver Law Group, a nationally-recognized investor rights law firm, has submitted a comment letter to FINRA that states our support for addressing this issue. Submitted by managing partner, Scott Silver, Esq., he comments that our firm has seen a rise in cases involving stockbrokers who improperly borrow money from clients, pressure clients to make the financial advisor part of the estate, and other trust and estate issues. Continue reading ›

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