Mark D’Ercole is the Subject of a Suitability Dispute

Mark D’Ercole (CRD #: 820220), a previously registered broker with Portsmouth Financial Services, is the subject of an investor dispute. This dispute appears on his BrokerCheck record, accessed on August 13, 2024. Keep reading if you have questions regarding his alleged conduct. 

Investor Allegations 

On July 8, 2024, an investor named Mark D’Ercole in a dispute alleging a failure to conduct reasonable due diligence, misrepresentation of facts, false statements, and a failure to supervise. The investor further alleged that he recommended an unsuitable investment. The investor is seeking $590,000. 

There is another dispute dated June 21, 2018, alleging that Mark D’Ercole recommended an unsuitable section 79 plan and whole life insurance policy. The investor is seeking $593,000. 

FINRA Rule 2111 – Unsuitable Investments 

FINRA Rule 2111 defines suitable investments as securities that fit an investor’s profile. Investor profiles have information on the investor’s age, risk tolerance, tax status, investing experience, and financial goals. Investments that do not take these factors into account may be unsuitable. 

Misrepresentation 

FINRA Rule 2020 prohibits the use of deceptive, manipulative, and otherwise fraudulent methods to influence the purchase and sale of securities. The misrepresentation or omission of material facts violates this rule.

Background Information 

Mark D’Ercole has passed the following exams: 

• Series 65 Uniform Investment Adviser Law Examination 
• SIE – Securities Industry Essentials Examination 
• Series 7 General Securities Representative Examination 
• Series 27 Financial and Operations Principal Examination 
• Series 53 Municipal Securities Principal Examination 
• Series 24 General Securities Representative Examination 

During his 46 years of experience, he has registered with seven firms: 

• Portsmouth Financial Services (CRD #: 13980) 
• Greenbook Securities (CRD #: 121447) 
• Robert Van Securities (CRD #: 29581) 
• Passport Securities (CRD #: 38720) 
• Wulff, Hansen & Co. (CRD #: 908) 
• Paine, Webber, Jackson & Curtis (CRD #: 8174) 
• Paine, Webber, Jackson & Curtis Incorporated (CRD #: 640) 

Kurta Law Can Help 

If you worked with Mark D’Ercole and 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.