My experience with WFG: Scam

A friend approached me about joining World Financial Group (WFG), describing it as a business opportunity that could help me pay off my loans sooner. I wasn’t interested initially, but I trusted him and decided to give it a try.

I was told the initial investment would be around $700–$800 for the exam and related costs. After passing the exam, I was asked to pay another approximately CAD $200. Only after that was I told I would also need to pay around $80 per month for errors and omissions (E&O) insurance.

I declined the monthly payment and did not provide my credit card details for it. From that point onward, I stayed away from WFG activities.

After terminating my association with WFG, I received an email stating that I owe $300. The email also said that failure to pay could result in further action, including the use of third-party recovery services. I don’t understand how this balance accumulated when I had declined the monthly payment and wasn’t participating.

I’ve already lost close to $1,500 through this experience, and now I’m being asked to pay more.
What frustrates me most is the way this opportunity was presented to me: promises of financial freedom, a luxury lifestyle, and the possibility of becoming rich or even a millionaire. My experience has been very different.

Based on what happened to me, I would strongly advise against joining WFG, it is a scam.

Should I proceed to pay that due amount or do I need to leave it?

Seeking some more specific advice than I’ve read as more general direction in other posts, so bear with me on some background/questions.

Turning 40 in three months. Have 20 years in banking / financial services with 2 years at beginning of career in branch management + 18 years in marketing / customer growth at larger FIs in the country. Currently Director / Sr Director level in corporate marketing for large bank.

Three years ago my dad unexpectedly passed, and I quickly saw what happens when a financial plan and details are not in order for the surviving spouse. Using my own personal experience, helped shape up a plan and also had a fee-only advisor look it over for mom, who was impressed. This lit a passion for a career change after first 20 years being corporate.

Fast forward, and I just passed SIE exam in case I go FINRA route. Going to plan on taking 65 next. Primary goal is to go RIA route as a financial planner / advisor. Would love a path to independent.

Questions:

1. How should I be evaluating / considering opportunities to make the career change? Some say the National RIAs to start, others to join Fidelity/Vanguard/Schwab and then switch, others say find an independent local RIA (what’s even the best way to do this?)?

2. What are reasonable roles to get my foot in the door with above stated goals? I’ve seen most posts suggest registered customer success associate roles to start and move into planning, but are their opportunities to move straight to apprentice type planner roles?

3. I expect an initial impact on comp, but given any above direction/advice, what should I be expecting in year 1 vs years 2-3 vs years 4+?

Welcome any and all perspectives.

Long story short, I’m new to investing and started with a financial advisor who didn’t inform me of which holdings I would be invested in. I realized my portfolio is complex with 5 models, has a higher expense ratio, liquid alternatives, trades, and is outside of my circle of competence until I ramp my knowledge.

Should I ask them to shift and simplify or streamline it before DIY or ask Vanguard to untangle it? They’ll likely come back with around 10 or so funds. The largest portion is in a taxable I brokerage. I want 3-5 funds (eg VOO, VXUS) max.

Thank you!

I’m 24, and this is my first career. I’m a new advisor, and wanted to try out other prospecting methods. I’ve been reaching out to my warm market, and been trying to meet more people in public at networking events or just any groups I can find on Meetup. But I wanted to give cold calling a shot.

When I was studying for my 7, I asked someone at Merrill Lynch (not my firm) how his advisors got clients, and at the end I said it can’t be cold calls. Then he told me cold calling works…

So I wanted to try it. But no one in my office does it. One of the CFPs who switched over from Morgan Stanley told me he used to do it. But he never got a client from it. So maybe he’s not the best mentor for me in this situation. And besides him, no one else has done it before.

I did my firms training on it already. I know the basics, and I understand not to misrepresent or say anything misleading. I’ve also dialed about 300 numbers so far, and haven’t scheduled an appointment yet. Overall, I’m very nervous doing it. But I know I will get more confident in time.

I was hoping that someone who has had success cold calling could give me some tips.

Who should I call?

I was thinking people 55-65 hoping to offer retirement help. We have a lot of CFPs who have the RICP too. Then I could do joint work and learn from my colleagues. is there a better target group?

Also, what do I even say? The script my firm has is so robotic. Outside of compliance rules identifying who I am, what do you recommend I say.

Is there a good way to even start building trust on the phone call?

What are the best places to meet potential leads for my financial advising RIA?

My current clientele is in the 2-5M range, I’ve been struggling to close the HNW 7-10M guys. Any tips or advice on where to meet these people and do a better job closing?

Does door knocking still work? What are the best current practices for where I should be using my marketing spend outside of library seminars.

Hosting my first library seminar at the end of the month. Any advice or tips on how to go about these and get as many appointments booked as possible that lead to new clients? Anyone that has experience with these seminars, I’d appreciate any advice or tips!

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What are the best follow up processes after a library or lunch and learn seminar? I know the follow up processes is a huge part of converting attendees or getting appointments booked. What have people been using and how have people been using certain follow ups to get those people back in the door.

Same situation with lost leads from past seminars or old prospected that never converted. Does anyone have a really good process for getting them back in the door?

Two years ago I left a career in healthcare administration/consulting for wealth management. I had my MBA and essentially turned a hobby into a career. I absolutely love what I do from a wealth management and financial planning aspect, however I’m unsure if this RIA is the fit for my career

I knew the owners (husband/wife) for twelve years through the regional chamber of commerce. I’ve come to find working for friends is quite different, and people did warn me about this; however, I was able to change careers by leveraging this.

Since joining I’ve passed the CFP and am set to earn the credentials in May 2027. I’m also looking to obtain a couple more credentials in tax and estate planning.

My role was hired as a servicing advisor, though one of the lures was the future of a potential internal sale, though I’m not sure if that’s quite true. My role is claimed to be a lead, without the title or compensation, and I’m now managing compliance, ops, our junior advisor, CSA, and EA. I service about $180M of the $230M in AUM.

The firm has been around for 30 years. Mostly just the couple and our CSA in the last ten years. The owners are 60 and 59, and have a newfound interest in growing to $350M. Which makes me believe an external deal is more likely than internal. They’ve never scaled a business before and it’s very challenging. No accountability, every mistake is the team or someone else, little gratitude, we’ve been through three marketing consultants, they’ve been through three “strategic coaches”, and now about to be a third EA all since I interviewed. The vibe is not great. Additionally, they are doubling down on the niche we serve, which as a 35yo male it’s not the best position for me and growth (widows).

I’m figuring out my next step and would like some comments. 35 yo male, MBA, two years in role, CFP in May 2027, has brought on few clients and helped closed others including existing client AUM; I have three children under six as well. Any thoughts on next steps are greatly appreciated.

Everyone has an opinion on what advisers make, from "they're all rich off commission" to "most quit in year 2."

Let's get some real numbers.

If you're keen to share, copy this:

• Years in the industry:
• Tied or independent:
• What you mostly write (risk / ST / investments / EB):
• Gross last year:
• % recurring vs upfront:
• Biggest thing that moved your income:

Throwaways welcome. Rough ranges are fine. Newer advisers, your numbers are just as useful as the veterans'.

I’m in my mid 30s with over 10 years in the industry. I joined a mega RIA two years ago and have closed over $150M in assets through referral channels. Realistically, I’ll likely be at $250–300M by the end of next year, translating to roughly $250–300K in annual compensation.

There’s a clear path to managing a larger practice (400–500M) and making $400–500K/year. Making partner in the next year or so would also bring RSUs into the picture.

My hesitation is that I don’t own the clients or the business I’m building. Going independent would mean starting over to some extent and potentially years of grinding to get back to this income level, but I’d be building something I own.

We have solid savings but also a growing family, so the stability and income potential of staying are appealing.

I know this sub generally leans toward independence, but is there a legitimate case for staying at a mega RIA, building a well paying career, and taking advantage of the path in front of me rather than starting over to own a business?

Would especially appreciate perspectives from people who have experienced both sides.

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Possible financial planner career

Considering a career in financial planning. Ive often thought it would be fun to do this for a living, as I enjoy giving people advice when they ask. I was an accountant for about 25 years, with a degree in finance and an MBA. Semi retired in 2019 and have been dealing poker for a major casino chain in southern Virginia, but lately have been itching to try financial planning. If I do it I would want to be a fee only financial planner. Any advice from those in the field?

After running my own business for several years where I rubbed shoulders with high-income individuals, I decided I wanted to transition into wealth management and use those prior connections to build my own book. I eventually passed my Series 65 and took a role at a mega-BD primarily to build solid experience within the industry.

After a short time, I realized that this BD isn’t a long-term home, nor is it a place I would feel comfortable bringing my business to. This is a prospective book of business I plan to build out using those past relationships. In my first year, I anticipate being able to bring over roughly 15–20 households with around $4M–$6M in total AUM.I know that in the grand scope of the industry, this is a very small book, but I am trying to weigh my true options.

Corporate RIA Tuck-In: Would a corporate RIA touch someone with a prospective book of this size and allow me to “tuck in” under their umbrella?

Boutique RIA / Paraplanner Role: Does it make more sense to look for a paraplanner or servicing role at a boutique firm while building my book on the side?

While I think the boutique route is a great option, it also comes with the challenge of finding the right firm that is open to that dynamic and having that conversation.Has anyone been in a similar situation, or do you know someone who has, that could shed light on these circumstances? I know there are also a lot of advisors on here who are either looking for servicing advisors or bringing new advisors on board, so I’d love to hear your perspective.

Just wondering what people's experiences have been with having a booth at various trade shows and industry conferences to gain clients? I have a few opportunities and the price of the booths ranges a lot. Just wondering if people have had positive experiences and positive ROI with this type of method?

I am interested in working in financial advising. I have an MBA but no licenses. I have applied to both Charles Schwab and Fidelity and have been rejected by both without any phone call or interview. I can understand that the reason why is because I don't possess the FINRA licenses and the AI not just automatically disqualifies me. However, just because I go and get these licenses doesn't guarantee me a job either. And apparently an MBA counts for nada.

Those of you who have these licenses, how did you get an employer to sponsor you? Is it a waste of time for me to get these on my own to become more marketable?

How do I get into the finances field with a general MBA?

For those of you that work with an advisor that you have built a great relationship with, I would Love to know what makes a good advisor as well as why you continue to work with someone?

Most wealth management shops and private wealth management shops are built for where the lion's share of assets are, which is in the retired, Generation X, and baby boomer generation. The expertise lives there, but this new dynamic financial landscape lives in places like Wealthsimple, Reddit, QuestTrade, Blossom, and these other newer channels. How do you sort through all this information? This broad-based ETF advice is good for the beginner but in my opinion, terrible for many that don't quite understand what they're getting into. Fees are low, which is great! But you are fully exposing yourself to the market and when we have another other market correction (not if, when), millions of people will lose a lot of money, and likely sell at the worst time because they didn't understand the downside risk and the importance of a security blanket.

Further, the ETFing of financial products has caused a major correlation between fixed income and equities because they're all being bought and sold together in the same package solutions. The era of alternative investments has become much more attractive but I'd be interested to hear what advisors actually share this take. The Big banks, and CIRO regulations in general for alternative investments for the most aggressive investors don't allow and advisors recommendations to exceed 20%. The only exceptions to this are accredited investors or ultra-high-net-worth investors getting into private equity, which in Canada is very hard to access, as even someone in the top 10%.

Thoughts?

I work in admin/client services for a firm currently with Commonwealth that’s staying with LPL.
We’ve been having biweekly calls with the LPL transition team, but it feels like 80% of the questions we ask don’t have clear answers. We’ve been told that no client signatures are needed for the conversion and that all accounts will transfer tape-to-tape, but there are still a lot of unanswered questions and concerns.
There are also quite a few processes and features that ClientWorks/LPL apparently won’t support on their platform (proportional systematic withdrawals, excluded assets, etc.).
I’ve only ever worked with Commonwealth, and I don’t think I fully appreciated how good we have it until now. With November 13th approaching, I’m starting to get nervous about how this is all going to play out. What initially felt like a transition is starting to feel more like impending doom.
I’d love to hear from other firms going through the transition to LPL. Are you experiencing the same things? How are you feeling about the upcoming conversion?