Curtis Smith Suspended by FINRA for Alleged Client Impersonation

Curtis Smith (CRD #: 1383235), a broker formerly registered with United Planners’ Financial Services of America, A Limited Partner, has been suspended by FINRA. This disclosure appears on his BrokerCheck record, accessed on August 12, 2025. Keep reading if you have questions regarding his alleged conduct.

FINRA Suspension

On April 14, 2025, Curtis Smith consented to the entry of findings that he allegedly impersonated a client, exercised discretion without prior written authority, and communicated using unapproved email addresses.

According to a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver & Consent (AWC), Curtis Smith allegedly recommended that a customer transfer their fixed annuity contract into a brokerage account so they could purchase securities and receive monthly dividends, which the client allegedly accepted.

In May and June 2024, Curtis Smith allegedly identified himself as this client during four phone calls to the annuity provider. He allegedly did so in order to obtain paperwork to facilitate this annuity transaction.

Alleged Use of Discretion

In April 2022, Curtis Smith allegedly exercised discretionary authority in a non-discretionary account without the authorization of the customers. In November 2022, he allegedly attempted to conceal this by sending an email from a personal email account to discuss the transaction with the relevant customers.

In August 2022 and September 2023, he allegedly certified to United Planners’ Financial Services of America (UPFSA) that he did not use discretion in commission-based accounts.

Alleged Use of Personal Email Accounts

Between at least February 2022 and August 2024, Curtis Smith allegedly used two personal email accounts for securities business, including responding to inquiries and providing investment summaries to clients, and communicating with annuity providers about client transactions.

He allegedly failed to disclose the use of these email accounts to UPFSA, which allegedly prohibited use of personal email accounts for securities business. He allegedly also falsely attested to the firm that he was conducting all business-related communications through an approved email address.

The AWC concluded that these allegations constituted violations of FINRA Rules 2010, 3260(b), and 4511.

FINRA Rule 2010

FINRA Rule 2010 holds brokers to high standards of commercial honor and just and equitable principles of trade. Impersonating a client violates this rule. 

FINRA Rule 3260

FINRA Rule 3260 prohibits brokers from conducting discretionary trading outside discretionary accounts, which are pre-approved for discretionary trading by the firm and the client.

FINRA 4511

FINRA Rule 4511 requires firms to keep accurate and up-to-date books and records. For this reason, individuals are not allowed to unapproved devices and contact information to communicate with clients. 

Sanctions

Curtis Smith consented to the following sanctions:

• Three-month suspension from associating with FINRA members
• $10,000 fine

His suspension began on April 21, 2025, and will end on July 20, 2025. You can read a copy of the AWC here.

Termination from UPFSA

On August 1, 2024, United Planners’ Financial Services of America, A Limited Partner fired Curtis Smith following allegations that he admitted to calling an insurance company and impersonating a client to get information on a contract for which he was not the agent of record. He allegedly also used an unapproved email address for securities business. 

Background Information 

Curtis Smith has passed the following exams: 

• Series 63 Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination 
• Series 65 Uniform Investment Adviser Law Examination 
• SIE – Securities Industry Essentials Examination 
• Series 7 General Securities Representative Examination 
• Series 6 Investment Company Products / Variable Contracts Representative Examination 
• Series 26 Investment Company Products/Variable Contracts Principal Examination 

During his 40 years of experience, he registered with four firms: 

• United Planners’ Financial Services of America, A Limited Partner (CRD #: 20804) 
• Kovack Securities (CRD #: 44848) 
• SCF Securities (CRD #: 47275) 
• Pruco Securities (CRD #: 5685) 

Kurta Law Can Help 

If you worked with Curtis Smith and you have concerns about your investments, do not hesitate to contact us at 877-600-0098 or email info@kurtalawfirm.com for a free consultation. 

For nearly 20 years, Kurta Law has advocated for investors to recover their investment losses from brokers and brokerage firms. Kurta Law is a nationally recognized law firm that exclusively represents investors against brokers and brokerage firms on a contingency basis. This means that the firm only earns a fee if our securities attorneys recover money on your behalf. Do not let securities fraud go unchecked. Start your recovery process today.