What went wrong
Five things brokers do to Americans who moved.
Each is a recognized FINRA claim. Each is easier to get away with when the customer is asleep during market hours. Read the one that sounds like you — often more than one applies.
- 01 “They found out I moved, and now my account is frozen.” Your US brokerage found out you live abroad and froze, restricted, or closed the account.
- 02 “I needed income and safety. He sold me something I couldn’t sell.” A retiree living on a fixed income was sold products built for someone else — or for the broker.
- 03 “I was twelve hours away, and the trading never stopped.” Trades you never approved — or so many trades that commissions ate the account.
- 04 “I rolled over everything the month I retired. That was the mistake they were waiting for.” A 401(k), TSP, or pension moved into a brokerage IRA — and into the wrong products — at retirement.
- 05 “He said he specialized in Americans abroad. I never checked who regulated him.” Someone sold you an “international” portfolio, offshore bond, or fund — and may not be licensed anywhere.
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