|
Registered Representatives should take great care to ensure that they properly complete all account-related documents and that those documents that require a client signature are subsequently signed by the appropriate client(s). This is necessary to protect the client, the Registered Representative and the firm. As such, there are several items related to documentation and signatures that are not permitted, including but not limited to the following:
- Accepting an application on which a client's name has been stamped
- Signing the name of a client on any form, with or without the client's authorization
- Requesting that clients sign or date blank or incomplete forms
- Taking a signature from one form & placing it on another form
- Directing a spouse or other person to forge a signature on a form
- Placing an inaccurate date on a form
- Suggesting to clients that they provide incomplete or false information
- Accepting any document from a client that contains a statement the Registered Representative knows to be untrue
- Certifying that one witnessed the client's signature on an application when this is not the truth
If the firm determines that a customer signature has been fraudulently obtained on an account document, including but not limited to being forged by a Registered Representative, disciplinary action will be taken and notification made to FINRA.
In addition, we want to remind you that the only approved method for electronic signatures is via Adviceworks-Docusign. Clients and representatives are NOT permitted to electronically sign documents using Adobe, FoxIt, an iPad, a stylus, etc.
It is also not permitted to type in the signature dates. Wet-signed documents need to be “wet-dated” by the person who signed. The client needs to date their own signature. The rep needs to date their own signature.
| 
