Securities Lawyers Blog

Broker John Howell in PFS Investments INC. Firm Has Customer Complaint

February 17, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker John Howell (Howell), previously associated with PFS Investments INC., has at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint, alleging that Howell recommended unsuitable investments in different investment products including debt securities among other allegations and complaints.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint on May 13, 2021.

In October 2025, the Firm learned of an order dated May 13, 2021 from a civil case wherein it was found that the Representative violated Utah and Federal securities laws by selling unregistered securities without being licensed, and the Representative was ordered to disgorge the commissions received for such sales. The Representative did not disclosed the order to the Firm, nor did he disclose this activity to the Firm. Upon learning of the Order, the Firm terminated the Representative.

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker Robert Douglass in Firm Arkadios Capital

February 17, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Robert Douglass (Douglass), currently associated with Arkadios Capital, has at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint, alleging that Douglass recommended unsuitable investments in different investment products including debt securities among other allegations and complaints.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint with a damage request of $900,000.00 on May 14, 2021.

Claimant, through Power of Attorney, alleges the registered rep recommended an unsuitable investment. Activity dates 2008-2021.

Broker Mitchell Bowles in LPL Financial LLC Firm Has Customer Complaint

February 17, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Mitchell Bowles (Bowles), currently associated with LPL Financial LLC, has at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint, alleging that Bowles recommended unsuitable investments in different investment products including debt securities among other allegations and complaints.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint on May 11, 2021.

Client verbally alleged failure to follow instructions with respect to termination the advisory agreement in account – February 2021 to April 2021.

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker Guilford Nergard in Firm San Blas Securities LLC

February 17, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Guilford Nergard (Nergard), previously associated with San Blas Securities LLC, has at least 3 disclosable events. These events include 2 customer complaints, one regulatory event, alleging that Nergard recommended unsuitable investments in different investment products including debt securities among other allegations and complaints.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint with a damage request of $37,011.47 on May 12, 2021.

Client alleged poor performance due to the management of accounts. Alleged activity dates 06/04/2013-11/06/2020

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker Mark Elafros in Firm Charles Schwab & Co., INC.

February 17, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Mark Elafros (Elafros), currently associated with Charles Schwab & Co., INC., has at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint, alleging that Elafros recommended unsuitable investments in different investment products including debt securities among other allegations and complaints.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint on May 10, 2021.

Unsuitable Investments

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker Forrest Ross in Firm LPL Financial LLC

February 17, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

Previously financial advisor Forrest Ross (Ross), previously employed by brokerage firm LPL Financial LLC has been subject to at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint. According to a BrokerCheck reports most of the recent customer complaints concern either corporate debt securities or alternative investments such as direct participation products (DPPs) like business development companies (BDCs), non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs), oil & gas programs, annuities, and private placements. The attorneys at Gana Weinstein LLP have represented hundreds of investors who suffered losses caused by these types of high risk, low reward products.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint with a damage request of $44,000.00 on May 12, 2021.

Products under DDPs include non-traded REITs, oil and gas offerings, equipment leasing investments, and a range of other alternative financial instruments. These alternative investments rarely generate profits for investors and are generally unsuitable due to their excessive fees and costly structure. By offering brokers extra commissions, firms incentivize the sale of poor-quality investments, ultimately leading to a manipulated market driven by artificial demand.

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker Guillermo Santiago in Firm Nationwide Planning Associates INC.

February 17, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Guillermo Santiago (Santiago), currently associated with Nationwide Planning Associates INC., has at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint, alleging that Santiago recommended unsuitable investments in different investment products including debt securities among other allegations and complaints.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint with a damage request of $1,200,000.00 on May 14, 2021.

PERIOD 2004 TO JUL 2013. Alleges concentration, misrepresentation, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, violations FINRA rules,PR and federal law.

Broker Darrin Farrow in Triad Advisors, INC. Firm Has Customer Complaint

February 17, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Darrin Farrow (Farrow), previously associated with Triad Advisors, INC., has at least 2 disclosable events. These events include 2 customer complaints, alleging that Farrow recommended unsuitable investments in different investment products including debt securities among other allegations and complaints.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint with a damage request of $150,000.00 on May 10, 2021.

Sale of unapproved investment during period of Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. registration is alleged.

There are Recent Customer Complaints with Broker Andreas Dailey in Firm LPL Enterprise, LLC

February 17, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Andreas Dailey (Dailey), currently associated with LPL Enterprise, LLC, has at least one disclosable event. These events include one customer complaint, alleging that Dailey recommended unsuitable investments in different investment products including debt securities among other allegations and complaints.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint on May 11, 2021.

Customer alleges the rep did not fully disclose all the facts regarding suitability.

Broker Alfred Czerniewski in Osaic Wealth, INC. Firm Has Customer Complaint

February 17, 2026 | by Staff Attorney

According to records kept by The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) financial Broker Alfred Czerniewski (Czerniewski), currently associated with Osaic Wealth, INC., has at least 3 disclosable events. These events include 3 customer complaints, alleging that Czerniewski recommended unsuitable investments in different investment products including debt securities among other allegations and complaints.

FINRA BrokerCheck shows a settled customer complaint with a damage request of $285,000.00 on May 13, 2021.

Customers allege the firm did not conduct adequate due diligence and the firm and representative did not fully disclose all material facts regarding the investment.