If you’ve recently discovered that your financial advisor made investments you never agreed to, or if you’re seeing unfamiliar transactions on your account statements, you’re probably feeling a mix of confusion, frustration, and even betrayal. These feelings are completely valid. You trusted someone with your hard-earned money, and now you’re not sure what went wrong or where to turn. Take a deep breath—you’re not alone, and there is help available. Understanding what is selling away in finance is the first step toward protecting yourself and potentially recovering your losses.
This situation can feel overwhelming, even embarrassing. Many people blame themselves, wondering if they should have asked more questions or paid closer attention. But here’s the truth: you shouldn’t have to be an expert to trust your financial advisor. That’s their job. When they violate that trust, it’s not your fault.
What Is Selling Away in Finance?
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“Selling away” is a term used in the financial industry to describe a specific type of misconduct. It happens when a broker or financial advisor sells investments to clients without their brokerage firm’s knowledge or approval. These investments are often not on the firm’s approved list of products, and the transactions typically happen “off the books.”
In simpler terms, your advisor goes behind their employer’s back to sell you something—usually because they stand to make a bigger commission or personal profit. These unauthorized investments can include:
- Private placements or promissory notes
- Unregistered securities
- Real estate deals
- Business ventures or startups
- Cryptocurrency schemes
Because these investments aren’t supervised by the brokerage firm, they often carry significantly higher risks. Worse, they may be outright fraudulent.
Why Is Selling Away So Dangerous?
When your advisor sells you an approved investment, there are layers of protection in place. The brokerage firm conducts due diligence, monitors transactions, and ensures the investment is suitable for your financial situation and goals.
When selling away occurs, all of those safeguards disappear.
You’re left exposed to investments that may be:
- Illiquid – meaning you can’t easily sell them or access your money
- Unregulated – with no oversight from financial authorities
- Fraudulent – sometimes part of Ponzi schemes or other scams
The consequences can be devastating. People lose their retirement savings, their children’s college funds, and their sense of financial security.
A Story That Might Sound Familiar
Imagine this: You’ve worked with a financial advisor for several years. He seems trustworthy, always returns your calls, and has helped you grow your portfolio. One day, he mentions a “special opportunity”—a private investment that he says will generate guaranteed returns. He explains that it’s not something his firm typically offers, but he’s letting you in as a favor.
You trust him, so you write a check directly to the investment company instead of going through the brokerage firm’s normal channels.
Months later, the promised returns never come. Your calls go unanswered. When you finally dig deeper, you discover the investment was never legitimate—and your advisor has done the same thing to other clients.
This scenario happens more often than you might think. And if it sounds like something you’ve experienced, please know: you are not to blame.
Red Flags That May Indicate Selling Away
Knowing the warning signs can help you identify problems early. Watch out for these red flags:
- Your advisor asks you to write checks to a third party instead of the brokerage firm
- You’re told to keep the investment “between us” or secret from the firm
- The investment isn’t reflected on your official brokerage statements
- You’re promised unusually high or “guaranteed” returns
- Your advisor seems evasive when you ask questions about the investment’s registration or oversight
If any of these situations apply to you, it’s important to act quickly.
Other Bad Financial Advisor Behaviors to Watch For
Selling away is just one type of advisor misconduct. Unfortunately, there are many ways a bad financial advisor can harm your finances. Other common issues include:
- Unauthorized trades – making transactions in your account without your permission
- Unsuitable recommendations – advising investments that don’t match your risk tolerance or goals
- Excessive trading (churning) – buying and selling frequently just to generate commissions
- Misrepresentation – lying about an investment’s risks, fees, or potential returns
- Ponzi schemes – using money from new investors to pay earlier investors, creating the illusion of returns
All of these behaviors violate the trust you placed in your advisor—and all of them may give you grounds to recover your losses.
You Have Options—and You’re Not Alone
Here’s the good news: if you’ve been a victim of selling away or other advisor misconduct, you may be able to get your money back.
Haselkorn & Thibaut has a long history of helping individuals and families just like you. With over 50 years of combined experience, their team understands the complexities of investment fraud cases—and more importantly, they understand what you’re going through emotionally.
They’ve recovered millions of dollars for clients who thought their savings were gone forever. Their 98% success rate speaks to their dedication and expertise in holding bad financial advisors and their firms accountable.
Why Families Trust Haselkorn & Thibaut
When you’re dealing with financial loss, the last thing you need is more stress. That’s why Haselkorn & Thibaut makes the process as straightforward and supportive as possible.
| What You Get | Details |
|---|---|
| Experience | Over 50 years of combined experience in investment fraud cases |
| Track Record | Millions recovered for individuals and families |
| Success Rate | 98% success rate |
| Reputation | Top rated nationwide |
| Initial Consultation | Free consultation—no pressure, no obligation |
| Fee Structure | No recovery, no fee—you don’t pay unless we recover money for you |
This approach means there’s no financial risk to you. You can explore your options without worrying about upfront costs.
Take the First Step Today
We understand that reaching out can feel intimidating. Maybe you’re still processing what happened, or perhaps you’re worried about what comes next. That’s completely normal.
But here’s what we want you to know: you deserve answers. You deserve to understand what happened to your money—and whether you can get it back.
The team at Haselkorn & Thibaut is ready to listen to your story without judgment. They’ll explain your options in plain language, answer your questions, and help you decide the best path forward.
Your free consultation is just a phone call away. There’s no pressure, no obligation—just honest guidance from people who genuinely want to help.
If you’re ready to take the first step, call Haselkorn & Thibaut at 1 888-885-7162 for your free, no-pressure consultation. Remember: you don’t pay unless we recover money for you.
You’ve already been through enough. Let someone fight for you.
