Miscellaneous

• Protection from Securities Fraud, Part 1

  Staff Writer | August 13, 2006 11:39 PM | 0 CommentsDenver, CO

  The Securities Commissioner for the State of Texas provides 10 tips to help consumers prevent investment fraud and avoid becoming victims of this all-to-common crime. I found the advice is a good reminder to all of us on common sense investing. Continue reading for the first of three posts on wise investing. Would-be investors should thoroughly investigate a possible investment and the...

• Securities Fraud Checklist: Your Broker's Background

  Staff Writer | August 06, 2006 9:15 AM | 0 CommentsDenver, CO

  As part of the process of deciding who to work with to handle your investments you may consider looking up their background using NASD's Broker Check. This allows you to find out where your broker is licensed. It also allows you to find out about SOME prior complaints against your broker. It may be all the complaints, but it may not be all the complaints. You may wish to ask your broker about...

• Broker Scams - if it sounds too good to be true ...

  Staff Writer | August 05, 2006 9:11 AM | 0 CommentsDenver, CO

  While most of brokers, or financial representatives, are probably trying to do what they beleive is best for their clients, the brokers themselves may be misled, or just not know any better. Sometimes even decent brokers get convinced to sell a scam and don't realize they are participating in a scam.The old adage about "if it sounds good to be true it probably is," is so often true. Be very wary...

• Identity Theft - A Growing Risk

  Staff Writer | August 04, 2006 11:14 PM | 0 CommentsDenver, CO

  Identity theft is a significant threat to personal security and information. A combination of the sheer volume of poorly protected personal data, insecure passwords and companies and government's with poor operations security practices, identity theft may become the most common crime to affect American's overall. Some areas of the U.S. may facilitate this type of theft through poor security...

• Securities Fraud in Seattle

  Staff Writer | August 02, 2006 11:03 PM | 0 CommentsDenver, CO

  The Seattle Times reports that according to a Senate report, the Quellos Group, a large investment firm based in Seattle, used false securities arrangements with offshore corporations to protect rich clients from taxes by sheltering $2 billion in capital gains. Government investigators believe that these actions may have cost the U.S. Treasury over $300 million USD.Quellos, established in 1994,...

• 12 BP Oil Wells Closed

  Staff Writer | July 30, 2006 10:35 PM | 0 CommentsDenver, CO

  According to the AP Wire, BP has halted operations at 12 Alaskan oil wells in order to investigate reports of leaking oil or diesel insulating agents. The wells are located at Prudhoe Bay, North Star and Milne Point and produced over 8,000 barrels of oil daily while in operation. Whistleblowers working with BP in Alaska reported the leaks to officials. Currently a grand jury is hearing testimony...

• Record Breaking Commercial Sales in Denver

  Staff Writer | July 19, 2006 6:26 PM | 0 CommentsDenver, CO

  According to a report on MSNBC.com, during the first six months of 2006, commercial real estate continues to boom in the Denver-metro area. According to a market overview by Cushman & Wakefield of Colorado Inc., 2006 has seen $2.3 billion in commercial properties sold in Denver, and record capital inflow and sales.

• Pirated Software: Microsoft Files Suit in Colorado

  Staff Writer | July 18, 2006 5:52 PM | 0 CommentsDenver, CO

  Microsoft has filed federal lawsuits against two Colorado companies who allegedly sold pirated Windows and Office software. Microcomp Solutions Inc. of Denver and Computers Plus USA of Grand Junction are accused of pirating software or installing the software on computers. Microsoft was made aware of the problem from system builders who are going out of business because they can't compete with...

• Merrill Lynch Settles Enron Lawsuit for $29.5 Million

  Staff Writer | July 18, 2006 10:13 AM | 0 CommentsDenver, CO

  According to newratings.com, Merrill Lynch agreed to a settlement in which it will pay $29.5 million to Enron in order to resolve allegations of fraud. Enron has settled lawsuits against many financial institutions including Merrill Lynch, Lehman Brothers Holdings, CIBC and Credit Suisse after accusing them of involvement in Enron's accounting scandal.

• Hedge-Fund Fraud is a Growing Threat

  Staff Writer | July 17, 2006 10:10 AM | 0 CommentsDenver, CO

  In a recent Bloomberg.com article hedge-fund fraud was identified as a growing concern for investors. A taskforce designated by the President Bush to investigate corporate crime is meeting in July to discuss this threat. Hedge funds are lightly regulated and according to the head of the taskfoce, Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty, hedge funds are "a good example of an emerging threat that we...