[Photo:  SeniorComfortGuide]

by Howard Haykin

When you open a new retail account or update your account information, your brokerage firm will request that you give them the name and contact information of a "trusted contact person."  It is not mandatory that you do so - but there are a number of very important reasons to give your broker the name of someone you trust, and FINRA and the SEC's Office of Investor Education and Advocacy urge you to consider the request.

A "trusted contact person" is … a person that you authorize your brokerage firm to contact in limited circumstances, such as if your broker has trouble reaching you or has a reasonable belief that your account may be exposed to possible financial exploitation.  A trusted contact person must be age 18 or older.

Reasons for adding a "trusted contact person" to your brokerage account:

• If your brokerage firm cannot reach you, adding a trusted contact person to your brokerage account may help your firm ensure that your current address and contact information are correct.
• Adding a trusted contact person to your brokerage account may help your brokerage firm respond to possible financial exploitation or fraud in your account and protect your account's assets.
• If your brokerage firm suspects that you are experiencing a health issue, adding a trusted contact person to your brokerage account may help your broker confirm your current health status.
• Adding a trusted contact person to your brokerage account may help your brokerage firm verify the identity of any legal guardian, executor, trustee or holder of a power of attorney on your account.

How can you add a "trusted contact person" to your brokerage account?    You may be asked to add a trusted contact person when logging on to your brokerage account online.  Many brokerage firms also send notices to you - email or regular mail - that include instructions for adding a trusted contact person to an account.  Before clicking on any link in an email notice about a "trusted contact person," make sure you verify that your brokerage firm sent the email. If, however, you don'g receive a notice or if your brokerage firm hasn't yet asked about a trusted contact person, and you'd like to add a trusted contact person to your brokerage account, contact your firm or your financial professional and ask how to add a trusted contact person to your account.

All investors are encouraged to visit the SEC at Investor.gov and/or FINRA at FINRA.org/investors.