Brokerage Account Searches

What is a Brokerage Account Search?

The most common type of personal account with substantial holdings is the brokerage or investment account.

Due to their high cash value, these account types are prime targets for judgment collection matters.

The FDIC does not protect investment accounts like bank accounts. A well-experienced asset investigator can legally and effectively locate these types of accounts.

Reasons To Conduct a Brokerage Account Search

Collecting on a Debt or Judgment Collection

An experienced investigator can be a huge help when locating assets. They can often legally and discreetly locate brokerage/investment accounts without trouble.

This can significantly help those looking to collect on a debtor, especially well-established professionals who routinely maintain investment accounts.

By hiring an experienced asset investigator, you can get the information you need quickly and efficiently without any drama. Especially if your subject maintains hidden assets.

Searching for Hidden Assets in Brokerage / Investment Accounts in Divorce Matters

Uncovering hidden assets in divorce is crucial, especially regarding brokerage accounts. Many individuals may have undisclosed accounts with various brokerage firms, making it essential for the other party to conduct thorough searches. Account holders might hide their account balance or retirement accounts to avoid equitable distribution. 

When performing hidden asset searches, it’s essential to be aware of privacy laws and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which govern how bank account information can be accessed. 

A comprehensive approach is necessary to reveal hidden assets in divorce cases, as both parties may be dishonest about their financial accounts. One can effectively identify and address these concealed holdings by utilizing various brokerage/investment searches and examining financial accounts.

Due Diligence on a Potential Investor

A potential investor may claim to hold substantial assets. But does he or she really hold financial power?

When meeting with a potential investor, it’s important to understand their financial situation.

Many times, individuals claim to have a substantial amount of assets, but upon further examination, it may be revealed that they do not actually hold any significant financial investments.

This could be due to several factors, such as poor money management or high debt levels.

It’s crucial for the potential investor and the individual meeting with them to be aware of any red flags that may suggest the individual is not in a strong financial position.

Child Support Collection

When attempting to collect child support judgment, a brokerage account search is a good place to start.

When a non-custodial parent falls behind on child support payments, the custodial parent often needs to take legal action to get the money they are owed.

Searching their brokerage account is one way to locate the non-custodial parent’s assets. This can provide information on stocks, bonds, and other investments that the non-custodial parent may have.

If the assets are located in a brokerage account, the custodial parent can then work with a lawyer to try to seize those assets as payment for the child support that is owed.

Brokerage / Investment Locates for Probate Matters

In probate matters, creditors and family members often need to conduct a thorough investigation to identify the deceased’s financial assets. This includes performing a brokerage account search to locate brokerage houses that may hold accounts under various account titles. By examining these types of financial institutions, creditors and family members can gain insight into the deceased’s portfolio and determine if there are any unknown assets.

Offshore Accounts No Longer Viable

Many people prefer to hide their assets using offshore bank accounts, trusts, shell companies, and other financial vehicles.

However, with stricter laws regarding offshore accounts and tax evasion in place, it has become increasingly difficult for individuals to maintain hidden assets.

More and more people are now keeping their money on American soil in brokerage accounts.

Thus, a brokerage account search is valuable for attorneys and those attempting to collect a debt or for pre-litigation discovery.

Benefits of Conducting a Search for Brokerage/Investment Accounts

Conducting a brokerage account search can benefit creditors looking to identify hidden assets. By utilizing a nationwide asset search, creditors can uncover information associated with a subject’s bank and brokerage accounts, which aids in determining any hidden asset holdings. This information is crucial, allowing creditors to place a lien or initiate a levy for wage garnishment against the subject’s business assets or personal funds.

Furthermore, a comprehensive brokerage account search assists creditors in determining the potential for collecting outstanding debts. By examining open brokerage accounts, law firms can ensure compliance with fair debt collection practices while identifying assets holdings that are currently available for collection. This tailored approach enhances the efficiency of debt recovery and helps protect the interests of creditors across various bank or brokerage institutions.
 

Where Can Brokerage Account Searches be Performed?

Brokerage searches can be conducted in any of the fifty states within the United States. Intelligence West maintains sources that provide outstanding coverage throughout the U.S.

How Long Does a Brokerage Account Search Take?

Brokerage accounts can be located within 10 to 15 business days. Our searches are conducted using the name and address of your subject. We also require the social security number. We can obtain this information if you do not have it.

These types of searches are more thorough and require a little more time than a typical asset search. Rest assured, all our asset location investigations adhere to the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA).

Who Do I Contact to Conduct a Brokerage Account Search?

To obtain reliable results, you need to hire a licensed and experienced private investigation firm specializing in asset investigations. It is best to shop around and speak with various experienced asset investigators.

Ask lots of questions before deciding who will conduct the asset investigation. Many reliable asset search firms offer free consultations.

Intelligence West has been conducting asset searches for decades and has the experience to get you results.

What Type of Asset Search Do I Need?

Typically, brokerage account investigations and our investigative asset reports are utilized to satisfy a judgment recovery of $25k or more.

It is also used for asset discovery in civil litigation circumstances. Investment accounts typically hold larger sums of money than bank accounts.

If you are attempting to recover less than $25k, then bank account searches are the most cost-effective solution.
 

Can You Collect My Judgment?

We do not offer judgment recovery services. We only locate assets.

Feel free to ask and we would be happy to refer you to a judgment recovery specialist.

We know that determining what you need to accomplish may be challenging. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have. We will be happy to discuss your needs.