CALIFORNIA—
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a $750,000 settlement, July 7, with AwesomeCalls and its CEO for unlicensed investment advice and misleading ads about potential earnings.
The $750,000 settlement bars AwesomeCalls and CEO Anthony Haworth from giving unlicensed investment advice or publishing misleading ads.
“AwesomeCalls deceived consumers by marketing Mr. Haworth as a brilliant day trader and boasting that they could help subscribers make thousands of dollars a day, when in reality they were operating without a license,” said Bonta.
He adds that the settlement serves as a reminder that offering investment advice without a license is illegal.
Haworth does not have a successful trading history
AwesomeCalls is a day trading chatroom where Haworth gives stock market tips focused on quick profits.
Since 2014, AwesomeCalls and Haworth have sold chatroom subscriptions to consumers in California and nationwide.
Haworth claims to be “clairvoyant” in trading, with his website and social media showcasing alleged profitable tips and positive subscriber testimonials.
However, Haworth does not have a successful trading history and has been debarred as an escrow agent for misappropriating escrow funds — which was not disclosed to consumers, according to Bonta.