I haven't mentioned them by name yet, partly because I don't know if I will pursue legal action against them. I fear that for the sum involved, I would end up losing money due to legal fees.
I have a brokerage account and requested the proceeds of a recent stock sale. Previous attempts to set up an electronic delivery system were unsuccessful, so I was told a check would be mailed to me. It never arrived, because my name was washed off and replaced by a forger's name who then deposited it in his account. The company claims the check must have been stolen from the postal service. The check was issued and cashed in another state, so it was not stolen from my mailbox. After several weeks, the bank which cashed the altered check recovered all but $1,100 from the thief and I picked up a new check, in person. I filed a police report, as I was advised to do. Apparently, I must bear the loss, not the company which claimed to have mailed the check (and not even using certified mail) nor the bank which cashed the altered check. I will be moving the remaining assets in my account to a different company.
I especially like your final sentence, which is consistent with Bogle's advice to stay the course. I leave it to scholars to explain why the market did this or that, and instead just focus on what I can control. Which is my investing behavior. My portfolio allocation and rebalancing enable me to tolerate any turbulence in the market, no matter what the cause(s) may be.
Yet another example of how futile is to predict what the markets will do next, and why a strategy of holding a diversified portfolio through index funds is not only simpler, but will likely give better results.
Unsatisfactory medical encounters do happen and are regrettable. Still, I caution against concluding that such examples are evidence of widespread unethical or incompetent behavior. I enjoyed practicing neurology and considered it a privilege to care for others. And now retired, and older, I have been learning what it is like to be a patient. In fact, I am now two days out from shoulder surgery as I type this. You expressed uncertainty whether to proceed with the advice you might receive from a medical professional. Fair question. My suggestion is to do what you might when meeting with an attorney, financial advisor, or any professional. Be skeptical, but open minded, ask honest questions and share any concerns. And afterwards, if unsure, seek another opinion. Find a primary care physician you trust, and seek his or her advice about treatment and specialty care. Word-of- mouth reviews from people you know can be helpful, but be skeptical and open minded about those reviews too!
Comments
I haven't mentioned them by name yet, partly because I don't know if I will pursue legal action against them. I fear that for the sum involved, I would end up losing money due to legal fees.
Post: It’s 2025. Do you send checks by mail?
Link to comment from April 28, 2025
Agree.
Post: It’s 2025. Do you send checks by mail?
Link to comment from April 28, 2025
I have a brokerage account and requested the proceeds of a recent stock sale. Previous attempts to set up an electronic delivery system were unsuccessful, so I was told a check would be mailed to me. It never arrived, because my name was washed off and replaced by a forger's name who then deposited it in his account. The company claims the check must have been stolen from the postal service. The check was issued and cashed in another state, so it was not stolen from my mailbox. After several weeks, the bank which cashed the altered check recovered all but $1,100 from the thief and I picked up a new check, in person. I filed a police report, as I was advised to do. Apparently, I must bear the loss, not the company which claimed to have mailed the check (and not even using certified mail) nor the bank which cashed the altered check. I will be moving the remaining assets in my account to a different company.
Post: It’s 2025. Do you send checks by mail?
Link to comment from April 27, 2025
I especially like your final sentence, which is consistent with Bogle's advice to stay the course. I leave it to scholars to explain why the market did this or that, and instead just focus on what I can control. Which is my investing behavior. My portfolio allocation and rebalancing enable me to tolerate any turbulence in the market, no matter what the cause(s) may be.
Post: No Exception
Link to comment from April 26, 2025
I appreciate your actions to preserve the ideas behind Humble Dollar. Thank you.
Post: Let’s Be Adults by Jonathan Clements
Link to comment from April 23, 2025
Yet another example of how futile is to predict what the markets will do next, and why a strategy of holding a diversified portfolio through index funds is not only simpler, but will likely give better results.
Post: School Is In
Link to comment from April 20, 2025
John Stuart Mill wrote that neither the left nor the right have a monopoly on the truth or good ideas. He left out self control!
Post: Lesson Five From Taking Care of a 102 yo in Her Last Year of Life- Politics and the News Has the Potential to Ruin Relationships
Link to comment from April 20, 2025
Unsatisfactory medical encounters do happen and are regrettable. Still, I caution against concluding that such examples are evidence of widespread unethical or incompetent behavior. I enjoyed practicing neurology and considered it a privilege to care for others. And now retired, and older, I have been learning what it is like to be a patient. In fact, I am now two days out from shoulder surgery as I type this. You expressed uncertainty whether to proceed with the advice you might receive from a medical professional. Fair question. My suggestion is to do what you might when meeting with an attorney, financial advisor, or any professional. Be skeptical, but open minded, ask honest questions and share any concerns. And afterwards, if unsure, seek another opinion. Find a primary care physician you trust, and seek his or her advice about treatment and specialty care. Word-of- mouth reviews from people you know can be helpful, but be skeptical and open minded about those reviews too!
Post: Screw politics, let’s talk health! Are all surgeries necessary or have we become the college tuition bank for the Doc’s children?
Link to comment from April 19, 2025
I am a retired neurologist and I agree with you, Dr. Young.
Post: Screw politics, let’s talk health! Are all surgeries necessary or have we become the college tuition bank for the Doc’s children?
Link to comment from April 19, 2025
Great list.
Post: Ask Me a Tough One by Jonathan Clements
Link to comment from April 18, 2025