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December 14, 2011

Texas Securities Fraud Over Sale of Allegedly Bogus Annuities to Elderly Seniors

Two men are accused of Texas securities fraud involving the sale of bogus annuities to the elderly. The authorities arrested Leon Randy Sinclair III, a 53-year-old Houston man, on charges of theft by deception, misapplication of fiduciary property, and money laundering. Sinclair and his San Antonio-based business partner, Luther Pierce Hendon, allegedly transferred money from the investment policies into their own bank accounts.

Dozens of elderly persons were reportedly bilked out of their life savings while the two men allegedly stole millions of dollars. The elderly clients were sold charitable gift annuities that they thought would go toward their savings for the future. Unfortunately, per the criminal complaints filed against Hendon and Sinclair, the money they were investing actually went to the two men.

Annuities
An annuity is a contract with an insurance company that allows the participant to fulfill his/her long-term goals and retirement objectives. In exchange for either a number of payments or a lump-sum amount, the insurer starts paying you periodically either right away or sometime in the future.

Usually, an annuity offers tax-deferred earnings growth and a death benefit that will pay a designated beneficiary a specific minimum figure. Three kinds of annuities are:

Indexed Annuities: The insurer credits you with a return determined by changes in an index.

Fixed Annuities: The insurer agrees to pay you a minimum interest rate while your account grows. The insurance company also is to pay specific, periodic payments into your account.

Variable Annuities: You can opt to invest your payments in different kinds of investments. The Securities and Exchange Commission regulates this type of annuity.

Annuity Fraud
Annuity fraud occurs when the agent that is selling misrepresents/fails to disclose key facts about the investment.

Unfortunately, the elderly are among the favorite targets for many of those intentionally seeking to commit annuities fraud. This type of investment is very appealing to people wanting to retire early or who are in search of a fixed income. It is easy for an elderly investor to mistakenly think that this type of investment is safe when, in fact, certain kinds of annuities are incredibly risky.

According to MetLife Inc. in June, older Americans are bilked of $2.9 billion annually by relatives, businesses, and strangers. At Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas, LTD, LLP, our Houston stockbroker fraud lawyers work hard to help our clients that have been the victim of elder financial abuse recoup their losses.

We know how hard you’ve worked to save for your future, as well as provide some financial security for your family. Losing your retirement and/or life savings can take a devastating toll on a bilked investor. Serious emotional and health complications can result, in addition to the financial troubles that can arise. There may be a way to recoup your losses.

Houstonian accused of selling bogus annuities to elderly, Chron.com, December 14, 2011

Annuities, SEC.gov

More Blog Posts:
Texas Securities Fraud: Unregistered Adviser Confesses to Selling Almost $400K in Promissory Notes and Investments Despite Cease and Desist Order, Stockbroker Fraud Blog, December 5, 2011

Texas Securities Fraud: Raymond James Financial Services Pays Elderly Senior Investor About $1.8M Following Loss of Appeal, Stockbroker Fraud Blog, December 2, 2011

Former Texan and First Capital Savings and Loan To Pay $4.5M for Alleged Foreign Currency Ponzi Scheme, Stockbroker Fraud Blog, November 11, 2011

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Posted In: Annuities , Annuities and Insurance , Senior Investors , Texas Securities Fraud , Variable Annuities

July 5, 2011

Most Investors Ignore Prospectus for Variable Annuities, Reports IRI

According to the Insured Retirement Institute, the majority of consumers don’t read the prospectus that accompanies a variable annuity purchase. IRI, which issued its report last week, also found that:

• 94% of consumers would like to get a prospectus summary that is shorter and is available either online or per their request. Most variable annuity prospectuses are 100 to 300 pages long.
• 59% of consumers said they would more likely discuss the product with their investment adviser if they were given a prospectus that was shorter and easier to understand.
• 78% of those surveyed say they rarely or never read their prospectuses.
• 5% said they always read their prospectuses.
• 87% of annuity contract owners hardly ever look at their prospectuses when they have questions about their purchase.
• Information about expenses and fees and the summary/highlights section are the parts of the prospectus that customers are most likely to read.
• 88% of respondents read the parts of the prospectuses that report on account deductions (commissions, sales loads).
• 59% of variable annuity owners look at the section on contract benefits.
• 6% read the death benefits section.

Following the release of the IRI’s report, FINRA CEO and Chairman Robert Ketchum spoke at the Insured Retirement Institute Government, Legal, and Regulatory Conference about the importance of moving away from account statements that are so packed with information that investors end up not reading the document.

Our stockbroker fraud lawyers are here to recoup our clients’ investment losses caused by securities. Contact Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas LTD LLP today.

Related Web Resources:
EXCLUSIVE IRI REPORT: CONSUMER DEMAND FOR VA SUMMARY PROSPECTUS CONTINUES TO GROW, Insured Retirement Institute, June 27, 2011

Read the IRI Report (PDF)

More Blog Posts:
Protect Yourself from Texas Securities Fraud by Making Sure that the Company or Agent that Sells You Annuities Has a Valid Insurance License, Stockbroker Fraud Blog, March 13, 2010

SEC Says Prime Capital Services, Inc. Defrauded Elderly Investors in Florida with “Free” Lunch Seminars and Unsuitable Variable Annuity Sales, Stockbroker Fraud Blog, August 10, 2009

“Living Benefits” Annuity May Be Riskiest Product Ever Sold by Insurance Industry, Stockbroker Fraud Blog, December 3, 2008

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Posted In: Variable Annuities

March 13, 2010

Protect Yourself from Texas Securities Fraud by Making Sure that the Company or Agent that Sells You Annuities Has a Valid Insurance License

If you are going to buy annuities in Texas, it is important that you make sure that your agent is licensed with the state and also has a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority license. You should also make sure that the annuity you purchased is legitimate and in compliance with Texas standards and laws.

If you buy an unauthorized annuity, you may pay an inadequate return or put your money at risk. You can also become the victim of Texas securities fraud.

What is an Annuity?
This financial insurance contract can grow in value and provide constant income over an extended time period. They are good for growing your retirement, saving for your children’s schooling, setting up a trust fund, or bequeathing money to loved ones. Texas Department of Insurance regulates annuities and keeps an update list of companies and agents that are allowed to sell them in the state.

Three Kinds of Annuities:
Variable Annuities: Higher risk than fixed annuities, variable annuities rely on the stock market’s performance. They usually invest in different financial instruments, including money market funds, equity indexes, mutual funds, and government securities. These annuities let buyers decide how to distribute their accumulated value within the contract’s selected investments.

This kind of annuity doesn’t come with any guarantee of earnings and you can lose your original investment. Because variable annuities rely so much on the stock market, the Securities and Exchange Commission considers them securities.

Fixed Annuities: The most conservative type of annuity. They make earnings at an annually set current interest rate. Although the rate can change, a guaranteed minimum rate must be established. These annuity contracts usually invest in non-stock market, conservative investments. Buyers usually don’t have any say in how the funds are managed.

Equity-Indexed Annuities: EIA’s have traits that can be found in both variable annuities and fixed annuities. They pose a greater risk than fixed annuities and are less risky than variable annuities. Their returns are affected by changes in money, bond, and stock markets, and they come with a guaranteed minimum interest rate.

It is important to remember that annuities are not the best investment for everyone—especially if your financial goals are in the short-term. Your agent should apprise you of any risks and make sure that if you do choose to buy annuities, that they are the right choice for you.

Related Web Resources:
Understanding Annuities, Texas Department of Insurance

SEC Tips for Preventing Annuities Fraud, SEC.gov

Continue reading "Protect Yourself from Texas Securities Fraud by Making Sure that the Company or Agent that Sells You Annuities Has a Valid Insurance License " »

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Posted In: Annuities , Texas Securities Fraud , Variable Annuities

August 10, 2009

SEC Says Prime Capital Services, Inc. Defrauded Elderly Investors in Florida with “Free” Lunch Seminars and Unsuitable Variable Annuity Sales

The US Securities and Exchange Commission is accusing broker-dealer Prime Capital Services Inc., income tax preparation business Gilman Ciocia Inc., and seven individuals of defrauding senior investors in Florida. The agency claims that the two companies, as well as the individuals named, allegedly used “free” lunch seminars that resulted in the sales of unsuitable variable annuities and, on occasion, millions of dollars in commission.

Robert Khuzami, the SEC Enforcement Director, called the free lunches “bait” for the scam. Elderly investors who are persuaded to purchase unsuitable financial products frequently are never able to fully recover their financial losses, which can severely deplete their retirement savings.

In addition to cease and desist proceedings against the respondents, the SEC is seeking remedial action, including civil penalties and disgorgement. According to the attorney representing PCS, Gilman, PCS President Michael P. Ryan, CCO Rose M. Rudden, one of the registered representatives, and one of the supervisors, the conduct under question occurred in the late ‘90’s and 2000’s and has been remedied for some time. The respondents plan to defend themselves against the charges.

SEC investigators say the senior investment fraud scam occurred between November 1999 and February 2007 and that during appointments conducted with seminar participants, PCS representatives either left out important information or made misrepresentations about variable annuities. For example, PCS representatives are accused of telling investors they would have unrestricted access to the money they invested but did not tell them that there would be substantial charges if they withdrew their money early.

The SEC claims that representatives’ commissions when selling variable annuities was 6%. Their commission on other investment products was just 3%. The agency also claims that Ryan and a number of supervisors neglected to implement PCS’s supervisory procedure to identify when misconduct was occurring, as well as prevent broker misconduct from happening.

Related Web Resources:
Read the SEC's Order (PDF)

“Free-Lunch” Seminars Still Baiting Seniors, Retirement Income Journal, July 15, 2009

Continue reading "SEC Says Prime Capital Services, Inc. Defrauded Elderly Investors in Florida with “Free” Lunch Seminars and Unsuitable Variable Annuity Sales" »

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Posted In: Broker Fraud , Financial Firms , Prime Capital Services, Inc. , Senior Investors , Variable Annuities

December 3, 2008

“Living Benefits” Annuity May Be Riskiest Product Ever Sold by Insurance Industry

Variable annuities that guarantee “living benefits” could end up costing insurers a lot more than what they charge for them and may result in falling stock prices. These variable annuities come with a GMWB (guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit). An investor’s money is placed in various mutual fund-like "sub-accounts" in return for a guaranteed minimum payout, as well as a higher return if your mutual funds’ values increase by over a certain amount

This means that even if a buyer sustains significant losses on an investment, he or she must still receive the fixed, minimum income benefits that were promised. It is also important to note, however, that there may not be an increase in future benefits.

Last summer, variable annuities became even more attractive to investors, as insurers competed with one another to generate more business. This move, however, is not boding well for insurance companies.

Fitch, AM Best, Standard & Poor’s, and Moody’s have all placed the life insurance industry in their “negative-outlook” columns. Even if insurers increase their prices or lower future guarantees, these moves may not suffice to cover the benefits they have promised.

Many GMWB annuities buyers had anticipated not having to withdraw from their annuities for a number of years, until their value had increased enough to pay more than the $5,000 annual minimum. Now, this won’t be possible until the annuity recovers everything lost plus yearly costs.

Related Web Resources:

Annuities fairly safe but insurers hurting, Dallasnews.com, December 3, 2008

Maximum Risk Didn’t Hurt These Investors, Bloomberg.com, December 3, 2008

The Cost Of Variable Annuity Guarantees, Investopedia.com

Continue reading "“Living Benefits” Annuity May Be Riskiest Product Ever Sold by Insurance Industry" »

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Posted In: Variable Annuities

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