Our Investment Fraud Attorneys Have Decades of Experience Helping the Elderly Recover From Investment Scams
Investment fraud targeting seniors is a very real concern. From unscrupulous brokers and advisors to scam artists and companies that seek to take advantage of individuals who have spent their lives saving for retirement, seniors face a variety of investment-related risks, and they must be extremely careful to protect themselves against fraud.聽聽
At AV短视频, we are committed to helping senior victims of investment fraud. Our investment fraud attorneys have decades of experience representing seniors across the country, and we have secured victories against many of the world鈥檚 largest banks, firms, and companies. If you are concerned that you or someone you love may be a victim of senior investment fraud, we encourage you to contact us promptly for a free and confidential consultation.
7 Common Types of Investment Scams Aimed at Seniors
While fraud targeting senior investors can take many different forms, there are certain types of scams that are particularly common. Here are seven ways that brokers, advisors, scam artists and others will often target senior investors:
1. Affinity Fraud
Affinity fraud involves abusing a position of trust or authority in order to take advantage of the members of a particular group. For example, many affinity fraud cases involve church or community organization leaders.
2. Free Seminars
Free lunch and dinner seminars for seniors are often fronts for investment fraud scams. Rather than educating attendees, the purpose of these seminars is to mislead seniors into putting their money into speculative or fraudulent investments.
3. Ponzi Schemes
Ponzi schemes involve using investors鈥 money to pay 鈥渞eturns鈥 to prior investors. Rather than investing in seniors鈥 funds, Ponzi scheme operators pay a portion to prior investors in order to give the appearance of legitimacy while keeping the majority for themselves.
4. Senior 鈥淐redentials鈥
Individuals claiming to be brokers or advisors will often also claim to have credentials such as being a 鈥淪enior Specialist.鈥 Such credentials do not exist, and these claims are used in an effort to provide seniors with a false sense of security so that they will part with their hard-earned money.
5. Unregistered Investments
Unregistered investments are risky for a variety of reasons. While certain unregistered investments can present viable opportunities for certain investors, they typically are not suitable for seniors who are focused on preserving their savings.聽聽
6. Unlicensed Services
All brokers and advisors must be licensed or registered in order to provide services to individual investors. If a person claiming to be a broker or advisor is not licensed or registered, this should be viewed as a red flag for fraud.
7. Unsuitable Advice
Perhaps the single most-common form of senior investment fraud is providing unsuitable advice. Brokers and advisors must provide investment advice that takes seniors鈥 age, financial circumstances and other pertinent factors into account鈥攁nd failure to do so constitutes securities fraud.
Common Tactics Used to Target Elderly Investors
Unscrupulous brokers, advisors and others use a number of common tactics to try to convince seniors to invest their money. If you have heard any of the following statements and are now facing investment losses, you should speak with an investment losses lawyer about your legal rights:
- 鈥淵ou鈥檝e been specially selected for a unique investment opportunity.鈥
- 鈥淵ou should keep this information to yourself.鈥
- 鈥淭his is a low-risk investment and you are virtually guaranteed to make money.鈥
- 鈥淭his is a limited-time investment opportunity, so you need to act fast.鈥
- 鈥淵ou can earn tax-free returns on your investment.鈥
These are just examples. Legitimate investment brokers and advisors will not use any type of high-pressure sales tactics, and they will work with their senior clients to help ensure that they are making informed decisions. If you are rushed, pressured or threatened in any way, then there is a very good chance that you are being defrauded.
What Seniors and Families Can Do To Avoid Losses from Fraud
Given the risks senior investors face, it is important for seniors and their loved ones to do everything they can to prevent fraudulent investment losses. In general, prior to investing, seniors should:
1. Understand the Risks聽
Seniors are at especially high risk for being targeted in investment fraud scams. While those who are unable to make informed financial decisions due to mental decline or other factors face the greatest risks, all seniors are potential targets for unscrupulous brokers, advisors and others.
2. Know the Red Flags for Senior Investment Scams
Investment fraud scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and this is increasing the challenges facing senior investors. However, seniors can still look for red flags such as:
- Being asked to sign forms with blanks that haven鈥檛 been filled in;
- Being asked for discretionary authority over their bank or brokerage accounts;
- Being unable to get in touch with the person who sold an investment;
- Being pressured to invest in any way; and,
- Receiving unsolicited investment offerings by phone, mail or email.
3. Ask Lots of Questions
One of the best ways seniors can protect themselves is by asking lots of questions鈥攐r by having someone they trust ask questions for them. If you cannot gather the information you need to make an informed investment decision, then you should not invest.
4. Be Cautious about Unsolicited Investment Advice
Many unsolicited investment offers are scams. If someone you don鈥檛 know approaches you about an investment opportunity, this alone should be viewed as a red flag.
5. Seek Help When Necessary
If you have any questions or concerns about an investment opportunity or investment losses, you should seek professional help. At AV短视频, we are more than happy to answer your questions; and, if you have fallen victim to a securities fraud scam, we can seek to recover your losses on your behalf.
Speak with the Attorneys at AV短视频
For more information about the risks of senior investment fraud or to discuss your legal rights with an investment fraud attorney, contact us to arrange a free, no-obligation consultation. To schedule an appointment at your convenience, please call 212-742-1414 or inquire online 迟辞诲补测.听听