Consumer Education
Due Diligence Directory
Financial Services
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To check out a securities broker:
FINRA BrokerCheck -
To see whether an insurance agent’s license is valid:
State Insurance Department Web Sites -
To check out the disclosure document (Form ADV) of a federally regulated investment advisor ($100 million or more in assets under management):
Investment Advisor Public Disclosure Website -
To check out the disclosure document (Form ADV) of a state regulated investment advisor (under $100 million in assets under management):
State Securities Department Web Sites -
To verify whether a financial planner’s Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation is valid:
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. -
To verify whether a life insurance agent’s Chartered Life Underwriter’s (CLU®) or Chartered Financial Consultant’s (ChFC®) designation is valid:
American College Designation Check -
To see what a financial designation acronym stands for:
FINRA’s “Understanding Designations” Web Page -
To see financial advisors recently charged with fraud or related offenses.
Investment News Fraud Charge Tracker
Real Estate
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To verify a real estate agent’s or broker’s license using a national (US and Canada) database:
Arello.com Real Estate License Verification -
To verify a real estate agent’s or broker’s disciplinary record with state regulators:
State Real Estate Commissions -
To determine whether a real estate agent or broker has violated the National Association of Realtors Code of Ethics
State Realtor Associations -
To see if your mortgage loan officer or broker is licensed:
Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry
General Business
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To check out a company with a state’s consumer-protection agency:
State and Local Consumer Agencies -
To access a firm’s Better Business Bureau record:
Council of Better Business Bureaus -
To see whether the Federal Trade Commission has taken action against a company:
FTC Actions -
To check out the record of a local construction contractor:
NationalContractors.com -
To see if a company is listed on a consumer review/complaint site:
22 Consumer Review and Complaint Sites