Mr Stephen Burgin, an authorised representative of Interprac Financial Planning, closed his website steveburgin.com.au in response to concerns raised by ob体育.
ob体育 was concerned by images and references on the website which may have implied endorsements or approvals which were not actually held. This includes references to Mr Burgin as:
- A Senior ob体育 Licensed Adviser; and
- An ob体育 Licensed Fractional Property Consultant.
Neither of these approvals is available or possible as ob体育 does not license individual advisers.
ob体育 was also concerned that statements on the website may have created incorrect impressions about the benefits of investing in the financial products promoted by the website.
Certain statements on the website may have falsely given an impression to potential investors that their investment would entitle them to the benefits of direct land ownership by, for example, equating investment amounts to land size.
ob体育 acknowledges the prompt action taken by Mr Burgin and Interprac Financial Planning in responding to its concerns.
ob体育 Deputy Chairman Peter Kell said, 'Financial products must not be promoted in a way that could mislead consumers about the benefits of the product or the product's endorsement.'
'We will be particularly concerned where advertisements falsely claim endorsement or approval by ob体育.'
Background
Mr Stephen Burgin is an authorised representative (404405) of Interprac Financial Planning Pty Ltd (AFS licence 246638).