Judge Closes Precious Metals Investment Firm AARP Bulletin
Judge Closes Precious Metals Investment Firm - AARP Bulletin Scams & Fraud
That truth, according to the Federal Trade Commission, was that American Precious Metals bilked customers, most of them older people, out of more than $37 million starting in 2007. After an FTC investigation, a federal judge and appointed a receiver to oversee its affairs, the commission announced Tuesday. The agency also filed suit against the company's owners, the married couple Harry and Andrea Tanner, alleging violation of federal law and the FTC's rules for telemarketing sales. 'Massive fraudulent scheme' Separately, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission against the company, Harry Tanner and another man, alleging they had engaged in "a massive fraudulent scheme" in connection with the business. A hearing is scheduled for next week, says FTC attorney Dama J. Brown. "We have sued to immediately stop the company's bad conduct, and will seek the court [to provide restitution] to consumers harmed by its practices." With gold and silver prices having generally risen in recent years, many retirees have been tempted to invest in these metals, often viewing them as a protection against future inflation. But precious-metal price swings in the short term can be powerful — silver reached almost $50 an ounce in late April, then fell below $40 in a matter of days. The FTC says the scheme at American Precious Metals went like this: Company telemarketers purchased telephone lists — largely numbers belonging to retirees — to make unsolicited, high-pressure pitches to consumers to invest in precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum. "Seniors were told these were low-risk investments that could double or triple their money within 90 days," Brown tells the Bulletin. Next: Company first paid itself But American Precious Metals did not invest consumers' money as promised, Brown says. Instead, it first paid itself commissions and fees of up to 40 percent of the initial investment, then deposited the remainder into the account of an associate "clearinghouse" business that recorded the investment but did not actually buy or handle precious metals. The clearinghouse instead bought financial instruments known as derivatives that rise and fall in value based on the prices of metals. What's more, many investors were not told that their investments would be leveraged — that is, their money would form about 20 percent of an investment position, with the other 80 percent to be borrowed, at interest. Leveraged investments can be highly risky, magnifying the financial ups and downs. Under a 20:80 split, a rise of 20 percent in the price of the commodity would double the money that an investor has put in. But the flip side is that a drop of 20 percent would completely wipe out the investor's money. Invest more, or lose your money "Many consumers were surprised to find out, weeks after they invested their money, that they were receiving equity calls that they needed to invest more money, or they would lose their investment money," says Brown. "Other consumers were encouraged to borrow money through home equity loans, life insurance policies and from relatives, or to tap out their IRAs. Many lost their life savings." The FTC's said that "because consumers' equity levels are constantly eroded by interest charged on the leveraged balances, consumers can be subject to equity calls even when precious metals prices remain constant." The Tanners or other American Precious Metals officials could not be reached for comment. The FTC's website includes . Sid Kirchheimer writes about consumer and health issues. Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures
Judge Closes Precious Metals Firm
Florida company bilked $37 million from investors most of them seniors FTC alleges
In October 2007, a telemarketer calling himself a "precious metals analyst" told Joao Curalov he could double his money in a few months by in silver through a company called American Precious Metals LLC. With a dramatic rise in the value of precious metals in the news, Curalov decided it was a golden opportunity, and he poured money in. See also: Today, says the 74-year-old Philadelphian, he's out $558,000 — most of his life savings. "I invested everything I had, and they stole it," Curalov tells the Bulletin. "When I wanted to sell the silver I purchased a few months later because the price went up, they wouldn't let me. They said I had to invest more money — another $100,000 — or I would lose my investment. That is when I learned the truth."Related
That truth, according to the Federal Trade Commission, was that American Precious Metals bilked customers, most of them older people, out of more than $37 million starting in 2007. After an FTC investigation, a federal judge and appointed a receiver to oversee its affairs, the commission announced Tuesday. The agency also filed suit against the company's owners, the married couple Harry and Andrea Tanner, alleging violation of federal law and the FTC's rules for telemarketing sales. 'Massive fraudulent scheme' Separately, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission against the company, Harry Tanner and another man, alleging they had engaged in "a massive fraudulent scheme" in connection with the business. A hearing is scheduled for next week, says FTC attorney Dama J. Brown. "We have sued to immediately stop the company's bad conduct, and will seek the court [to provide restitution] to consumers harmed by its practices." With gold and silver prices having generally risen in recent years, many retirees have been tempted to invest in these metals, often viewing them as a protection against future inflation. But precious-metal price swings in the short term can be powerful — silver reached almost $50 an ounce in late April, then fell below $40 in a matter of days. The FTC says the scheme at American Precious Metals went like this: Company telemarketers purchased telephone lists — largely numbers belonging to retirees — to make unsolicited, high-pressure pitches to consumers to invest in precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum. "Seniors were told these were low-risk investments that could double or triple their money within 90 days," Brown tells the Bulletin. Next: Company first paid itself But American Precious Metals did not invest consumers' money as promised, Brown says. Instead, it first paid itself commissions and fees of up to 40 percent of the initial investment, then deposited the remainder into the account of an associate "clearinghouse" business that recorded the investment but did not actually buy or handle precious metals. The clearinghouse instead bought financial instruments known as derivatives that rise and fall in value based on the prices of metals. What's more, many investors were not told that their investments would be leveraged — that is, their money would form about 20 percent of an investment position, with the other 80 percent to be borrowed, at interest. Leveraged investments can be highly risky, magnifying the financial ups and downs. Under a 20:80 split, a rise of 20 percent in the price of the commodity would double the money that an investor has put in. But the flip side is that a drop of 20 percent would completely wipe out the investor's money. Invest more, or lose your money "Many consumers were surprised to find out, weeks after they invested their money, that they were receiving equity calls that they needed to invest more money, or they would lose their investment money," says Brown. "Other consumers were encouraged to borrow money through home equity loans, life insurance policies and from relatives, or to tap out their IRAs. Many lost their life savings." The FTC's said that "because consumers' equity levels are constantly eroded by interest charged on the leveraged balances, consumers can be subject to equity calls even when precious metals prices remain constant." The Tanners or other American Precious Metals officials could not be reached for comment. The FTC's website includes . Sid Kirchheimer writes about consumer and health issues. Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures