According to FINRA, Brian Scott Graham (CRD #2581633), formerly based in Naperville, Illinois, was barred from association with any FINRA member firm in all capacities effective September 27, 2024. The bar was imposed through an Acceptance, Waiver, and Consent (AWC) agreement after Graham refused to appear for on-the-record testimony requested by FINRA. The testimony was sought in connection with FINRA's investigation of allegations made in an amended Form U4 submitted by his member firm. The Form U4 disclosed that a customer alleged that Graham made unauthorized ATM withdrawals. Without admitting or denying the findings, Graham consented to the sanction and to the entry of findings. The allegation of unauthorized ATM withdrawals is a deeply troubling form of misconduct. If a financial professional has access to a customer's debit card or account information and uses it to make ATM withdrawals without the customer's knowledge or consent, this constitutes theft and a serious violation of the trust placed in that professional. Unauthorized access to customer funds, whether through ATM withdrawals, wire transfers, or any other means, is one of the most egregious violations in the securities industry and can result in criminal prosecution in addition to regulatory sanctions. Firms are required to disclose such allegations through regulatory filings such as the Form U4, which records the registration information and disclosure history of securities industry professionals. When a customer reports unauthorized withdrawals, the firm must investigate and report the matter, triggering potential FINRA scrutiny. Graham's refusal to appear for testimony in connection with this investigation led to his permanent bar, as FINRA treats non-cooperation as an independent and serious violation. For investors, this case underscores the importance of safeguarding your account information, including debit cards, PINs, and login credentials. Never share this information with your broker or financial advisor, as they should not need direct access to your banking instruments. Monitor your bank and brokerage statements regularly for unauthorized transactions, and set up transaction alerts when available. If you discover unauthorized ATM withdrawals or other suspicious activity, report it immediately to your financial institution, FINRA, and law enforcement. FINRA's BrokerCheck tool is a free resource for researching the background of any registered financial professional. Graham's permanent bar ensures he can no longer work with any FINRA-registered firm.