The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority published a FINRA Unscripted podcast episode and transcript marking the 10th anniversary of the FINRA Securities Helpline for Seniors, highlighting how the service supports seniors and vulnerable investors and reporting that it has helped recover more than USD 9.3 million for investors as of Dec. 31, 2024. Launched on April 20, 2015, the Helpline connects callers with specially trained FINRA staff to address questions and concerns about brokerage accounts, investments and related matters. As of Dec. 31, 2024, it had handled more than 32,000 calls from all 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., and from multiple countries, with most calls coming directly from seniors with an average age of 70. The Helpline also made more than 2,750 referrals to state, federal and international regulators and more than 560 referrals to state Adult Protective Services, and it has increasingly received calls involving romance, confidence, imposter and crypto asset scams; examples cited include a member firm returning USD 507,000 in principal plus USD 8,000 in interest following an allegedly unsuitable variable annuity recommendation, and almost USD 250,000 after a computer takeover scam was identified. FINRA also highlighted that some calls are escalated to FINRA Investigations, including a matter involving an alleged annuity “guaranteeing” a 10% return that resulted in the registered representative being barred after failing to respond to information requests and referrals to law enforcement, followed by a wire fraud guilty plea and a 22-month prison sentence. The release also points to recent rule changes affecting protections for vulnerable investors, including FINRA Rule 2165, Rule 4512 and Rule 3241, with related findings and best practices summarized in the FINRA 2025 Annual Regulatory Oversight Report.

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