A Big Name Firm Doesn’t Mean Little Risk
Trusting your investment portfolio with a big name firm may seem like a conservative decision. The common assumption is that the risk of investment fraud is lower with a big company versus a smaller brokerage. People frequently make the mistake of believing that investment fraud only results from the tactics of a scam artist, but it can happen even at the reputable firms. 
According to a recent report, investing with a bigger firm could actually put you at a higher risk of fraud. The report, which was from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), brings light to a problem facing investors. According to the report, which was covered by Investment News, 16 percent of fraud cases that were brought by the SEC involved broker-dealers. This number has gone up since 2008, as broker-dealers were tied to only 9 percent of fraud cases that year.
This report shows that scam artists aren’t the only culprits of fraud. Sometimes, the culprits are the large brokerage firms that many investors have come to trust.
As an investor, it is imperative that you take the appropriate steps to protect yourself from fraud. For example:
- Closely monitor the activity of your account.
- Review monthly account statements.
- Don’t hesitate to ask your broker questions.
- Educate yourself on the signs of broker fraud.
About the Law Firm of Meyer Wilson
If you have lost money due to investment fraud, you may be able to recover your losses. For a free case evaluation, contact our office by calling 866-827-6537 or filling out our online form. Our investment fraud attorneys are licensed in Ohio and Californiaand represent investors nationwide in securities arbitration and litigation claims. We have successfully recovered millions of dollars for our clients.
Be sure to order a FREE copy of attorney David Meyer’s book, Five Signs of Investment Fraud…And What to Do if it's Happened to You.