According to FINRA, registered representative Daniel VanSkiver (CRD #4255472) of Ada, Michigan, was sanctioned with a deferred fine of $5,000 and suspended for two months from associating with any FINRA member firm in all capacities. This action, resolved through an Acceptance, Waiver, and Consent (AWC) agreement effective April 4, 2024, was filed under FINRA Case #2022076282401.

VanSkiver was found in violation of FINRA rules after he falsified the electronic signatures of customers, including senior investors, on various account documents. These documents included new account applications and move money forms — records that are essential to accurately reflecting a customer's intentions and authorizations. By forging these signatures, VanSkiver bypassed the fundamental requirement that customers knowingly and voluntarily consent to transactions and account changes involving their money.

In addition to the signature falsification, VanSkiver falsely attested in compliance questionnaires that his conduct was in accordance with firm policies and regulatory requirements. These questionnaires are internal compliance tools designed to help firms detect and prevent misconduct. By providing false answers, VanSkiver not only concealed his own wrongdoing but also caused his member firm to maintain inaccurate books and records, a violation of securities regulations that require firms to keep accurate documentation of all customer-related activities.

The involvement of senior customers in this case is particularly concerning. Regulators including FINRA have placed heightened emphasis on the protection of senior investors, who may be more vulnerable to exploitation and financial harm. The falsification of signatures on accounts belonging to elderly customers represents a serious breach of the trust that these individuals place in their financial professionals.

For investors, this case underscores the importance of carefully reviewing all account documents and statements. Customers should verify that any signatures appearing on their account records are genuinely their own and that all transactions reflected on their statements were properly authorized. If a customer discovers unauthorized signatures or unfamiliar transactions, they should immediately contact their brokerage firm's compliance department and consider filing a complaint with FINRA. Vigilance in reviewing account documentation remains one of the most effective ways for investors to protect themselves from misconduct.