How to avoid being a victim of financial advisor scams

I was both intrigued and sickened while glued to HBO’s Wizard of Lies. This riveting biopic chronicles Bernie Madoff, played by Robert DeNiro, as he crafts the greatest investment fraud of our time. It’s challenging to understand how sophisticated investors along with ordinary folks fell for Madoff’s Ponzi scheme.

Find out how to avoid becoming a victim of securities fraud. You’ll discover that only your own knowledge and due diligence can save you from financial advisor malfeasance.

Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi Scheme fooled the pros

As long ago as 1999, an independent investigator, Harry Markopolos, concluded that Madoff’s success could not be legitimate. In 2005, he sent the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the financial watchdog, a 17-page statement entitled: “The World’s Largest Hedge Fund Is a Fraud”. ~The Telegraph

The Securities and Exchange Commission, wooed by Madoff’s charm and their own incompetence failed to dig into Madoff’s records and uncover his heinous investor fraud.

One scene in the “Wizard of Wall Street” showed regulators requesting a legally-required identification number for his corporate accounts. Madoff made up a number, gave it to the regulators and then waited anxiously for days to find out whether his malfeasance would be uncovered. Had the investigators looked up Madoff’s records with the fake account number, the fraud would’ve been immediately uncovered. But the investigators failed to follow up and Madoff continued his investment fraud for nine more years.

What was the Madoff investment fraud Ponzi Scheme crime?

For many years, Madoff wooed well-heeled investors into his highly regarded firm by promising and delivering steady-above market returns. The Madoff investment fraud was simple.

1. Get investors to give you their money

2. Create fake investment statements that showed erroneous above market and consistent returns

3. Pay off account redemptions with new investors money

Without the market crash of 2008 and the flood of investment redemptions, Madoff could have gone on with the investment fraud. But, withdrawals were greater than inflows and there was no way for Madoff to continue his Ponzi scheme. The new money failed to keep pace with investors wanted their cash.

After confiding the investment scam to his sons, they turned their father in, to the authorities.

Who invested in Madoff’s scam?

Think you would have been too smart to recognize the investment deception? Bernie Madoff’s charm and wide-ranging contacts snared movie stars, investment companies, charities and ordinary investors into his fund including:

– Steven Spielberg

– Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick

– Elie Wiesel

– Sandy Koufax

– Jeffrey Katzenberg

– John Malkovich

– Eliot Spitzer

– Stanford Financial Group

– Allianz Global Investors

– Fortis Bank

– Senator Frank Lautenberg

A February 2017 Reuters.com story tallies the final payout to Madoff victims at close to $10 billion, approximately half of the stolen assets. After this distribution is complete, 1,335 Madoff accounts with valid claims will be fully paid off.

Investment fraud victims received from $271.80 to about $42.3 million each. All claims worth $1.25 million or less are paid off. Finally, the remaining Madoff customers expect to receive approximately 60% of their losses.

Investment fraud victims received from $271.80 to about $42.3 million each. Source

So, is there any way this horrible financial scam could have been avoided?

Regulations might be able to curb investment fraud, yet as the Madoff Ponzi scheme shows, you can’t count on the authorities to protect your money. There are already laws to thwart securities fraud. The best remedy to protect yourself from investment fraud is to recognize the scam.

5 steps to avoid investment fraud and financial advisor scams

1. Understand investing 101

Historically, the S&P 500 has returned approximately 9% annualized. Yet, that juicy return camouflages the year to year return volatility. In 2008 the S&P 500 fell 36.55% and during the first three years of this century, the market had double-digit losses each year. Realize that all investment values go up and down, except for bank savings account. And, if you’re money’s invested in the bank, then your returns will be very low.

Don’t fall for the promise of a safe double-digit return.

2. Understand the investments that you own

Madoff understood financial assets, was a former president of the NASDAQ stock exchange and was viewed with respect in New York financial circles. The Wizard of Lies recounted how Madoff spent days constructing the transactions in clients’ fake account statements, after the fact. That means that Madoff’s account statements showed gains on most trades and never showed an annual loss, even when the stock market fell.

Every investor needs to understand exactly what she’s invested in and why. If a transaction doesn’t make sense, dig deeper. And, again, if returns seem too good to be true, walk away.

3. Verify that your assets are controlled by a third party custodian

Many of Madoff’s clients had all of their money invested with him. Always make certain there is a third party custodian when investing with a financial advisor. That means that there’s another party, such as a Schwab or Fidelity that receives your deposits and creates your investment statements. This protects you from a dishonest financial advisor using your money as his own.

4. Check out your investment advisors record

BrokerCheck by FINRA (the Financial Industry Regulatory Agency),  is a free online tool to delve into the record and experience of financial brokers, advisors, and firms. This investment advisor search tool answers a host of questions about the financial professional. Before handing over a dime to a financial manager, find out if he’s ever been disciplined, is registered as is required by law and more. Don’t skip this step or you might end up hiring a crook as your money manager.

5. Don’t be greedy

Whenever you’re promised unreasonably high returns on your money, walk away. There’s no such thing as something for nothing. Growing your wealth in the financial markets is a superb way to build up long term wealth. But, you need to be prepared for down years as well as positive return years. There’s no way to avoid losses! Patience along with a sensible investment program is the best way to invest in the financial markets.

Ultimately, don’t be lured by a charismatic financial advisor promising unbelievable returns. More than likely, you’re receiving an invitation to participate in investor fraud by an unscrupulous con artist.

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DISCLAIMER: This article expresses my own ideas and opinions. Any information I have shared are from sources that I believe to be reliable and accurate. I did not receive any financial compensation in writing this post, nor do I own any shares in any company I’ve mentioned. I encourage any reader to do their own diligent research first before making any investment decisions.