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Blevins objected to a Pension Life post on LinkedIn. But the post was not defamatory - it was 100% factual.

Blevins Franks Cock Up

Blevins Franks has reported Pension Life for defamation on LinkedIn – a right old cock up as all I did was state the facts and the truth as defined by Spanish law and regulations. Dear Blevins Franks. I am very upset about the Blevins Franks cock up with LinkedIn. You think I’ve written something defamatory,

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Fact Finds and Risk Assessments are about Ethics and Morals (both for mattress salesmen and financial advisers)

WRITTEN BY ELIZABETH FLYNN: I went to buy a new mattress the other day.  Thought I’d treat myself to a good quality mattress from a reputable retail outlet. The latest developments in bedding technology mean that choosing a new mattress requires much soul searching after an incredibly detailed fact find and risk assessment. Naively, I

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PLANTAR FASCIITIS and what’s wrong with financial services.

What’s wrong with financial services? Almost as painful and debilitating as what’s wrong with my foot! I’ve just been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis. I write this partly in the hope of getting some (richly-deserved) sympathy, and party because it illustrates what is so terribly wrong with financial services (especially offshore). It all started with a

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DEATH BOND

What is a death bond? Also known as a life bond, portfolio bond, executive bond, offshore bond – or, if you are a commission-based broker – an 8% commission bond. Who provides death bonds? The usual suspects (many of whom also provide ghastly long-term savings plans that ruin savers): Old Mutual International RL360 SEB Lombard

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Dolphin Trust – a matter of serious regret

Dolphin Trust is now called The German Property Group. Former founder and director Charles Smethurst has left. Hundreds – possibly thousands – of investors (lenders) are now hung out to dry. Dolphin isn’t answering the phone as people are desperate to find out if and when they will get their money back. Dolphin has a

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LM and other monstrous failed funds

DEADLY AUSTRALIAN (AND OTHER) TOXIC INVESTMENT FAILURES LM Management Performance Currency Protected Australian Income LM First Mortgage Income Premier Eco Resources LM Wholesale First Mortgage Premier New Earth Recycling Solutions Institutional Currency Protected Australian Income New Earth Solutions Recycling Facilities Axiom Legal Financing Kijani We could write thousands of pages about these toxic, risky, illiquid

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Is your IFA a snake in the grass?

An elderly lady consulted Hollingsworth International Financial Services in Malta about her life savings in 2011. She told Hollingsworth’s employee Paul Tilbrook she wanted her funds invested safely and cautiously. Her savings amounted to over £400,000 and she wanted to move them to a safe pair of hands to make sure her capital was protected. The adviser promised her that her money would not only be protected, but that it would be “actively managed” to ensure diversity and growth. In reality something very different happened.

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