Vanguard Group LLC” fraudulently purporting to be well-known securities broker Vanguard

The DBO has been notified that a company – using the names “Vanguard Group LLC” and “Advantage fin,” the websites vanguardfinancialdirectla.com and vanguardbrokeragellc.com (currently defunct), the email customeraccounts@advantagefin.com, and the address 12100 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles – is claiming to be licensed by the DBO and is using the icon and name of well-known securities broker Vanguard. The long-established Vanguard holds many licenses with DBO and other state and national regulators. 

The “Vanguard Group LLC” appears to be a scam, and not affiliated with the known and licensed Vanguard.  Please beware.  DBO encourages you to check with the known Vanguard at www.vanguard.com before doing business with any companies appearing to be related.

Consumers also can check on the licensing status of broker-dealers by visiting the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s (FINRA’s) online broker check at http://brokercheck.finra.org, or calling the DBO’s Consumer Services Office at (866) 275-2677.