“Google” Your Broker or Advisor

By: Amy Herrick | May 21, 2009 | Financial Advisors

While the web is a tool that is not always perfect, it can be a wealth of instant, public and private information.

You may or may not care that your professional is in the midst of a divorce, they have several unpaid judgments for bad checks on record in the last year at the courthouse, perhaps he/she was formerly charged with three counts of petty theft or worse. These individuals truly are the minority of almost every profession, but they do exist at all levels.

You may also find that they have a big heart for charity and that they are well connected locally, have long term community roots and more good news that build your confidence in your selection.

Only you can decide how to act on this information found. If more questions are in order before you entrust your assets and potential future outcome to this person, so be it.

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Another #Ponzi Scheme unearthed by the SEC. Advisor (Greenberg) placed elderly clients into hedge funds. Pretty sleazy http://ow.ly/2BVmS 2010/09/09

@PyreneesInvest It's so sad especially since more investors don't take the time to ask simple questions towards hiring the right advisor. 2010/09/08

RT @PJSacchetta: "First time I did laundry it took me 3 months: all my clothes were labeled wash separately." Byran Allen Babba Bing! 2010/09/08

RT @megasafemoney: Mixing Golf and Business the Perfect Combination http://bit.ly/chSHsv Never cheat while playing with a client. Not good! 2010/09/06

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Investor Watch Dog is a weblog designed to inform investors about hidden risks when they invest assets based on the recommendations of financial planners, financial advisors, money managers, insurance agents, and investment sales representatives. Some of Wall Street's biggest investment risks result from Ponzi Schemes, investment bubbles, conflicts of interest, bad advice in bear markets, lobbyist activities that promote industry interests, bad investment products, and anti-investor business practices. While some of these risks are worthy of front page headlines, millions of investors assets are much more frequently exposed to less newsworthy but exponentially more harmful investment scams, financial fraud, illegal investment products, bad financial advice, bad investment recommendations, misrepresentation, omission, abuse of trust, deceptive sales practices, and breach of fiduciary duties. The role of Investor Watch Dog is to shine a spotlight on legal and illegal business practices that undermine the financial interests of investors, retirees, business owners, professionals, executives, and other types of consumers who rely on Wall Street and its financial professionals for the advice and services they need to achieve their financial goals.