TD Ameritrade: Difference between revisions
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== | {{StubNotice}} | ||
{{CompanyCargo | |||
|Description= | |||
|Founded=1975 | |||
|Industry=Brokerage, Financial | |||
|Logo=TD Ameritrade.svg | |||
|ParentCompany= | |||
|Type=Public | |||
|Website=https://web.archive.org/web/20250000000000*/https://www.tdameritrade.com/ | |||
}} | |||
[[Category: | '''{{Wplink|TD Ameritrade}}''' was a US-based company providing brokerage and related financial services. The company underwent an acquisition by [[Charles Schwab]] between 2019 and 2020 and completed transition of customer accounts in 2024. | ||
[[Category: | |||
==Consumer impact summary== | |||
{{Ph-C-CIS}} | |||
==Incidents== | |||
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]]. | |||
===Security breaches=== | |||
In November 2007, the company disclosed that hackers had breached its systems, gaining access to sensitive client information, including names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, addresses, phone numbers, and trading activity.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=TD Ameritrade Hacked; Customer Info Stolen |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2007/09/14/td-ameritrade-hacked-customer-info-stolen.html |website=CNBC |date=14 Sep 2007 |access-date=4 May 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250121040750/https://www.cnbc.com/2007/09/14/td-ameritrade-hacked-customer-info-stolen.html |archive-date=21 Jan 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kawamoto |first=Dawn |title=TD Ameritrade's 6 million customers hit with security breach |url=https://www.cnet.com/culture/td-ameritrades-6-million-customers-hit-with-security-breach/ |website=CNet |date=14 Sep 2007 |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610201118/https://www.cnet.com/culture/td-ameritrades-6-million-customers-hit-with-security-breach/ |archive-date=10 Jun 2022}}</ref> Following a {{Wplink|class action}} lawsuit in 2011, the company agreed to a settlement, offering compensation ranging from $50 to $2,500 to customers who fell victim to identity theft as a result of the breach.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bolado |first=Carolina |title=TD Ameritrade Settles Data Breach Suit For Up To $6.5M |url=https://www.law360.com/consumerprotection/articles/271214/td-ameritrade-settles-data-breach-suit-for-up-to-6-5m | |||
|website=Law360 |date=13 Sep 2011 |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250708194600/https://www.law360.com/consumerprotection/articles/271214/td-ameritrade-settles-data-breach-suit-for-up-to-6-5m |archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref> In 2020, customer login credentials were found being sold on the {{Wplink|dark web}}.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rooney |first=Kate |last2=Khorram |first2=Yasmin |title=Hackers look to buy brokerage log-ins on the dark web with Robinhood fetching highest prices |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/14/brokerage-log-ins-for-sale-on-dark-web-robinhood-sees-highest-prices-.html |website=CNBC |date=14 Oct 2020 |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201014220708/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/14/brokerage-log-ins-for-sale-on-dark-web-robinhood-sees-highest-prices-.html |archive-date=14 Oct 2020}}</ref> | |||
===Auction rates securities scandal=== | |||
In 2009, TD Ameritrade settled a lawsuit that accused the firm of misleading investors by selling them auction-rate securities it touted as safe, short-term investments. The investments, which had been considered safe before the 2008 financial crisis, later became {{Wplink|Market liquidity|illiquid}}, making investors' money irretrievable. The firm agreed to pay $456 million and to buy back all the affected securities at their face value to compensate investors for losses.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pepitone |first=Julianne |title=Ameritrade settles securities case for $456M | |||
|url=https://money.cnn.com/2009/07/20/news/companies/Schwab_TD_securities_investigation/index.htm |website=CNN |date=20 Jul 2009 |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090723163541/https://money.cnn.com/2009/07/20/news/companies/Schwab_TD_securities_investigation/index.htm |archive-date=23 Jul 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author= | |||
|title=SEC Charges TD Ameritrade for Auction Rate Securities Sales Practices |url=https://www.sec.gov/news/press/2009/2009-163.htm |website=[[Securities and Exchange Commission]] |date=20 Jul 2009 |access-date=4 May 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090826053057/https://www.sec.gov/news/press/2009/2009-163.htm |archive-date=26 Aug 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=TD Ameritrade Agrees To Auction-Rate Buyback |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/21/business/21auction.html |website=The New York Times |date=20 Jul 2009 |access-date=4 May 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315090507/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/21/business/21auction.html |archive-date=15 Mar 2017}}</ref> | |||
===Losses in Reserve funds=== | |||
The company and its advisors recommended the investment of cash holdings in a {{Wplink|money market fund}} affiliated with the {{Wplink|Reserve Primary Fund}}, which gained approximately $1 billion in assets. The company also promoted the Reserve Yield Plus Fund as a safe money market fund, despite it actually being a bond fund. The company received commissions for steering customers toward these funds. | |||
During the {{Wplink|2008 financial crisis}}, the Reserve Primary Fund suffered heavy losses. In September 2008, it dropped below $1 per share, freezing $1 billion in cash belonging to TD Ameritrade clients. The Reserve Yield Plus Fund also declined in value during this period. These actions led to class-action lawsuits filed by customers and an investigation by the U.S. [[Securities and Exchange Commission]] (SEC) into the company's marketing practices. | |||
In 2008, TD Ameritrade agreed to reimburse customers for up to 3% of their losses in the Reserve Primary Fund, with a total cap of $50 million. In 2011, the company settled the SEC case and agreed to pay 1.2¢ per share of the Reserve Yield Plus Fund that was held by its customers, or $10 million in total. The Reserve Yield Plus Fund made its final distribution in 2016, with investors receiving 97 to 98 cents per share, in addition to the compensation provided by TD Ameritrade.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Fund losses fuel customers’ anger |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2008-11-02-0810310465-story.html |website=Chicago Tribune |date=2 Nov 2008 |access-date=4 May 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220610201118/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2008-11-02-0810310465-story.html |archive-date=10 Jun 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ambrose |first=Eileen |title=Investors feel burned by what looked like a money market fund |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2008-12-16-0812150177-story.html |website=The Baltimore Sun |date=16 Dec 2008 |access-date=5 May 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220610201131/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2008-12-16-0812150177-story.html |archive-date=10 Jun 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=SEC Charges TD Ameritrade for Failing to Supervise Its Representatives Who Sold Shares of the Reserve Yield Plus Fund |url=https://www.sec.gov/news/press/2011/2011-36.htm |website=[[Securities and Exchange Commission]] |date=3 Feb 2011 |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110206153406/https://www.sec.gov/news/press/2011/2011-36.htm |archive-date=6 Feb 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=SEC Announces $10M Settlement With TD Ameritrade |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/sec-announces-10m-settlement-with-td-ameritrade/ |website=CBS News |date=3 Feb 2011 |access-date=4 May 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250308000930/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/sec-announces-10m-settlement-with-td-ameritrade/ |archive-date=8 Mar 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Termination of Primary Fund-In Liquidation |url=http://www.primary-yieldplus-inliquidation.com/pdf/Fund-Update-110415.pdf |website=The Primary Fund-In Liquidation |date=4 Nov 2015 |access-date= |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813192344/http://www.primary-yieldplus-inliquidation.com/pdf/Fund-Update-110415.pdf |archive-date=13 Aug 2022 |format=PDF}}</ref> | |||
==See also== | |||
{{Ph-C-SA}} | |||
==References== | |||
{{Reflist}} | |||
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]] | |||
[[Category:Investment banks]] | |||
[[Category:Online brokerages]] | |||
[[Category:Usury]] | |||
[[Category:Retroactively amended purchase]] | |||
Latest revision as of 05:24, 5 May 2026
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| Basic information | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1975 |
| Legal Structure | Public |
| Industry | Brokerage, Financial |
| Also known as | |
| Official website | https://web.archive.org/web/20250000000000*/https://www.tdameritrade.com/ |
TD Ameritrade was a US-based company providing brokerage and related financial services. The company underwent an acquisition by Charles Schwab between 2019 and 2020 and completed transition of customer accounts in 2024.
Consumer impact summary
[edit | edit source]
Incidents
[edit | edit source]This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the TD Ameritrade category.
Security breaches
[edit | edit source]In November 2007, the company disclosed that hackers had breached its systems, gaining access to sensitive client information, including names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, addresses, phone numbers, and trading activity.[1][2] Following a class action lawsuit in 2011, the company agreed to a settlement, offering compensation ranging from $50 to $2,500 to customers who fell victim to identity theft as a result of the breach.[3] In 2020, customer login credentials were found being sold on the dark web.[4]
Auction rates securities scandal
[edit | edit source]In 2009, TD Ameritrade settled a lawsuit that accused the firm of misleading investors by selling them auction-rate securities it touted as safe, short-term investments. The investments, which had been considered safe before the 2008 financial crisis, later became illiquid, making investors' money irretrievable. The firm agreed to pay $456 million and to buy back all the affected securities at their face value to compensate investors for losses.[5][6][7]
Losses in Reserve funds
[edit | edit source]The company and its advisors recommended the investment of cash holdings in a money market fund affiliated with the Reserve Primary Fund, which gained approximately $1 billion in assets. The company also promoted the Reserve Yield Plus Fund as a safe money market fund, despite it actually being a bond fund. The company received commissions for steering customers toward these funds.
During the 2008 financial crisis, the Reserve Primary Fund suffered heavy losses. In September 2008, it dropped below $1 per share, freezing $1 billion in cash belonging to TD Ameritrade clients. The Reserve Yield Plus Fund also declined in value during this period. These actions led to class-action lawsuits filed by customers and an investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) into the company's marketing practices.
In 2008, TD Ameritrade agreed to reimburse customers for up to 3% of their losses in the Reserve Primary Fund, with a total cap of $50 million. In 2011, the company settled the SEC case and agreed to pay 1.2¢ per share of the Reserve Yield Plus Fund that was held by its customers, or $10 million in total. The Reserve Yield Plus Fund made its final distribution in 2016, with investors receiving 97 to 98 cents per share, in addition to the compensation provided by TD Ameritrade.[8][9][10][11][12]
See also
[edit | edit source]
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ "TD Ameritrade Hacked; Customer Info Stolen". CNBC. 14 Sep 2007. Archived from the original on 21 Jan 2025. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
- ↑ Kawamoto, Dawn (14 Sep 2007). "TD Ameritrade's 6 million customers hit with security breach". CNet. Archived from the original on 10 Jun 2022. Retrieved 15 Mar 2025.
- ↑ Bolado, Carolina (13 Sep 2011). "TD Ameritrade Settles Data Breach Suit For Up To $6.5M". Law360. Archived from the original on 8 Jul 2025. Retrieved 15 Mar 2025.
- ↑ Rooney, Kate; Khorram, Yasmin (14 Oct 2020). "Hackers look to buy brokerage log-ins on the dark web with Robinhood fetching highest prices". CNBC. Archived from the original on 14 Oct 2020. Retrieved 15 Mar 2025.
- ↑ Pepitone, Julianne (20 Jul 2009). "Ameritrade settles securities case for $456M". CNN. Archived from the original on 23 Jul 2009. Retrieved 15 Mar 2025.
- ↑ "SEC Charges TD Ameritrade for Auction Rate Securities Sales Practices". Securities and Exchange Commission. 20 Jul 2009. Archived from the original on 26 Aug 2009. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
- ↑ "TD Ameritrade Agrees To Auction-Rate Buyback". The New York Times. 20 Jul 2009. Archived from the original on 15 Mar 2017. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
- ↑ "Fund losses fuel customers' anger". Chicago Tribune. 2 Nov 2008. Archived from the original on 10 Jun 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
- ↑ Ambrose, Eileen (16 Dec 2008). "Investors feel burned by what looked like a money market fund". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on 10 Jun 2022. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
- ↑ "SEC Charges TD Ameritrade for Failing to Supervise Its Representatives Who Sold Shares of the Reserve Yield Plus Fund". Securities and Exchange Commission. 3 Feb 2011. Archived from the original on 6 Feb 2011. Retrieved 15 Mar 2025.
- ↑ "SEC Announces $10M Settlement With TD Ameritrade". CBS News. 3 Feb 2011. Archived from the original on 8 Mar 2025. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
- ↑ "Termination of Primary Fund-In Liquidation" (PDF). The Primary Fund-In Liquidation. 4 Nov 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 Aug 2022.