Haselkorn & Thibaut, P.A., operating as Investment Fraud Lawyers, has officially opened an investigation into Jeffrey Thomas Higgins (CRD #2871443), a financial advisor previously registered with Western International Securities, Inc. and Financial West Group. Our attorneys are closely reviewing public regulatory records and customer complaints regarding Higgins’s conduct, including serious allegations of misappropriation, customer fund misuse, and regulatory violations. If you ever invested with Jeffrey Higgins—especially in connection with Western International Securities, Inc.—and have concerns about your recovery options or possible losses, we urge you to carefully review the information below and contact us for a free, straightforward consultation at 1-888-885-7162.
Why Are We Investigating Jeffrey Thomas Higgins?
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Our firm’s investigation seeks to protect investors who may have suffered losses—or have questions—relating to the conduct of Jeffrey Higgins in Oregon and elsewhere. Regulatory records and legal filings expose numerous red flags tied to misappropriation, regulatory actions, and customer disputes. With a 98% success rate recovering losses for hundreds of clients and leveraging more than 95 years of combined securities law experience, our attorneys are uniquely positioned to fight for your rights and funds. Our firm’s “insider knowledge” as former Wall Street defense counsel enables us to aggressively advocate for wronged investors.
Who Is Jeffrey Thomas Higgins?
Jeffrey Higgins is a previously registered broker and investment adviser (CRD #2871443), most recently with Western International Securities, Inc. His record, reviewed as of July 16, 2026, reflects a troubling pattern of customer harm and regulatory troubles. He has also been affiliated with Financial West Group. Higgins worked in the securities industry for decades, having obtained various FINRA licenses, including the Securities Industry Essentials, Series 31, 7, 6, 66, and 63 exams.
Comprehensive Regulatory and Legal Disclosures
According to BrokerCheck and public records, the following has been disclosed regarding Higgins:
| Event Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Actions | FINRA barred Higgins from all registered activities on July 1, 2024, after he refused to provide critical information, documents, or on-the-record testimony requested by regulators. The bar was issued after a tip and formal examination. He accepted sanctions without admitting or denying findings. |
| Employment Termination | On June 21, 2024, Western International Securities, Inc. discharged Higgins for conduct involving the misdirection and unauthorized use of client investments and funds for his own benefit, dating back to at least 2007 and continuing until his termination. |
| Civil Proceedings | On April 6, 2026, the SEC filed a federal civil case in the District of Oregon alleging that Higgins misappropriated over $800,000 from 12 clients using a sham investment program (“Cumulus”), falsified documents, and created fictitious annual reports. The case remains pending as of this review. |
| Customer Disputes |
|
Key Red Flags: What Investors Need to Know
- Barred by FINRA (Regulatory Prohibition): Higgins can no longer serve investors in any registered capacity due to his refusal to cooperate with a regulatory investigation—a serious violation of FINRA Rule 8210 and FINRA Rule 2010, which require broker-dealers to uphold the highest standards of honor and transparency.
- Employment Termination for Misuse of Client Funds: Western International Securities, Inc. confirmed that Higgins’s improper actions began over a decade ago, impacting many clients across multiple firms.
- Civil SEC Enforcement Action: The allegations of misappropriating over $800,000 using falsified documentation and fictitious reports reflect grave breaches of trust.
- Pattern of Customer Complaints: Eleven disputes are publicly disclosed, with at least one resulting in a substantial six-figure settlement. Ongoing arbitrations and complaints highlight the sustained nature of the misconduct.
- Allegations of Unsuitable Product Sales: Multiple claims allege that Higgins recommended high-risk, alternative investments—such as GWG Holdings L bonds—unsuitable for many retail investors.
Did Jeffrey Higgins or Western International Securities, Inc. Violate Their Duty of Care?
The allegations and regulatory findings raise significant questions about whether Higgins—and potentially his broker-dealers—violated Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI). This SEC regulation, effective since 2020, requires that a financial advisor or broker-dealer place a customer’s interests first in any security recommendation or transaction. It obligates disclosure of costs, conflicts of interest, and careful evaluation of all available alternatives. These standards are designed to promote transparency and protect you, the investor, from conflicts and hidden risks.
By refusing to cooperate with regulators and facing ongoing claims of misappropriation, a strong argument exists that Higgins and his affiliated firms may have failed to uphold the duties owed under Reg BI. If your investment recommendations were not made with your best interest in mind, you may have valid grounds to pursue recovery for your losses.
Next Steps: How to Protect Your Rights and Funds
If you invested with Jeffrey Thomas Higgins in Oregon, California, or beyond—especially through Western International Securities, Inc. or Financial West Group—you should take the following actions:
- Review your account statements for any unauthorized transactions, unexplained losses, or suspicious product sales.
- Document your concerns regarding Higgins’s recommendations or any unusual account activity.
- Reach out to our firm for a confidential, no-risk consultation to discuss your investor rights. Our attorneys will evaluate your specific circumstances, answer your questions, and help you understand the best path to recovery.
With our Super Lawyers recognition, Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent status (Top 2% peer-reviewed), and 5.0-star client reviews, you are choosing a team with a proven track record—noted for both compassion and relentless advocacy. We operate on a “no recovery, no fee” basis, ensuring your interests always come first.
Complaints and Claims: Full List for Jeffrey Thomas Higgins
- Regulatory Bar by FINRA: Refusal to supply information and testimony during a formal investigation into misconduct (July 1, 2024).
- Discharged by Western International Securities, Inc.: Termination for misdirecting and misusing client investments and funds (June 21, 2024). Conduct began circa 2007 at a previous firm.
- SEC Civil Action (Pending): Alleged misappropriation of $800,000+ from 12 clients using sham offerings and falsified records (District of Oregon, April 6, 2026).
- Customer Dispute (September 23, 2025): Alleged misappropriation of funds tied to corporate debt; settled for $348,243.47.
- Customer Arbitration (July 30, 2025, Ongoing): Unsuitable recommendation and sale of GWG Holdings, Inc. L bonds; customer seeks $65,000 in damages.
