Special Official Note For Mortgage Brokers

Joe_Bloggs

That is just the FSA view of matters.
J_B.

EdInvestor

I had a skim through all the latest FSA stuff pertaining to internet bulletin boards, and the focus seems to be on

a)share ramping,pumping and dumping, insider trading etc, which is not a problem on this site, and

b)unauthorised people (including scamsters) using sites to do business.Now there is evidence of this happening, hence my emphasis on the desirability of a complete ban on unsolicited approaches via PM and a reporting/removal system targeting anyone who does it.

In this context, it seems to me it's best if legitimate people who are actively engaged in financial services business show themselves to be properly authorised by identifiying themselves in their profiles, but don't do anything overt (such as advertise their status in signatures) which might give the impression to the less scrupulous that it's acceptable to tout for business on the site.

MortgageMamma

I don't mean to be controversial here but, surely the forum user has a responsibility to protect themselves by checking an advisers credentials?

What about a signature that states this

"Comments made on this forum are for discussion purposes only and are NOT advice. For further advice tailored to your circumstances please appoint a suitably qualified professional, who's company should be identifiable via www.fsa.gov.uk/register

Please report all unsolicited approaches of any description by pressing the exclamation hazard sign at the bottom left corner of the page.

Bit waffly but it seems to be what we are all trying to say!

regularsaver1

AndrewSmith wrote:

I make no secret of the fact (nor have I ever) that I receive occasional enquiries from posters asking for help. If I have the time to deal with them I will, however I do rarely have time these days.

The difference is that it is not an expectation of mine to get those enquiries.

Put it this way, my business would remain completely unaffected if I never received another MSE enquiry again.

I will not accept anyone accusing me of posting my weblink for personal gain, especially as I have never broken any of the forum rules on this or anything else in the time I have been posting here.

In fact I was recently emailed by another broker from this site with a list of approx 6-7 posters who that broker was dealing with, to check that they wern't 'stepping on anyone's toes'. My reply to this email was that I had turned those who had contacted me away due to being too busy to give them proper advice and service. Touting for business? I don't think so.

Bloody cheek.

So business is conducted via this site for some?

regularsaver1

homer_j wrote:

never concluded business with anybody on here personally nor will I. I dont need the business that badly. I share some of those reasons for being on here in terms of wanting to help people and also because I am that sad that I really enjoy talking about mortgages that much.

As I say - if its coming down to who does what on here and whether they should or shouldnt be doing that then its time to say if you cant play fairly then the ball needs taking away until you can all learn to do so..

I enjoy posting on this site and sharing ideas. Even I've been told I was quite "sad". But hey I enjoy it - and is separate from my work.

Joe_Bloggs

It sounds like Mortgagemamma is trying to stitch things up. Is there only tinkering left?
J_B. (In jest.)

MortgageMamma

Well I think all that needs to be said has been said - whether it is agreed upon by all is another matter - but we need to conclude this then let the thread decay amongst the archives

Joe_Bloggs

If you put your head in the sand then someone may well park a bike in your backside.
J_B.

MortgageMamma

Joe_Bloggs wrote:

If you put your head in the sand then someone may well park a bike in your backside.
J_B.

Depends how wide the crack is, you wouldnt get an after 8 mint parked in mine :rotfl:

kenshaz

MortgageMamma wrote:

Well I think all that needs to be said has been said - whether it is agreed upon by all is another matter - but we need to conclude this then let the thread decay amongst the archives

The decision does not rest with you,this thread is washing the dirty linen,and it is not clean yet.I have realised that individuals have conducted business using this site,it has been admitted ,and I am appalled,I know that self regulation is not working,other action must and will be taken