MOSS CONSULTING GROUP

Dear *redacted*,

 

I was reading your recent newsletter and you had the following snippet:

 

"Thank you! In 2009/2010 I decided to borrow $30,000.00 and put it into the market. I had another $35,000.00 already invested in an IRA. Following your advice, I turned that into just slightly less than a million a year ago. I retired at age 59-1/2, 15 months ago, but could never have done it without your advice. Again, thank you, and keep up the good work. W.P. – Salem, OH"

 

While I have only been following your newsletter for a few years, this seems very implausible. Someone who only had $35,000 in savings at roughly 52-53 years old and had to borrow $30,000 was able to turn that into approximately $950,000 in just 6 to 7 years. This raises huge concerns for me, and quite frankly the quality of the research I pay for. 

 

I'm not an expert by any means, but someone at that age with that little free money available doesn't exactly scream that the person had financial prudence or a strong understanding of such matters outside of this claim, which would apparently make him a genius.

 

I appreciate any additional commentary you can provide.

 

Thanks,

MCG

 

 

RESPONSE (Via e-mail, no retraction or public admittal ever made):

 

Dear MCG,

​

 

Thank you for providing your comments regarding the subscriber’s letter reprinted in the Personal Perspective of this month’s *redacted* newsletter.  In hindsight, this is one letter that we should not have published.  The letter was included with permission of the author, but we do not know the personal investing choices or whether contributions were made to the account during this time period.  While we believe the gratitude and success were genuinely expressed, the implied return is certainly not representative of the Model Fund Portfolio or a “safety-first” investment philosophy.

 

*redacted* receives letters and emails nearly every day from subscribers across the U.S. and more than 40 countries worldwide.  Individual readers often communicate that our research has been very beneficial to their long-term financial needs, and we’ve occasionally shared a positive story in the newsletter.  It’s very fulfilling to hear that we have helped someone meet a financial goal and positively impacted his or her life – it’s one of the primary reasons we enjoy our work.  In this case, we were too quick to include this success story without fully evaluating the details. 

 

We appreciate your feedback and hope you continue to find the newsletter serves as a reliable source for the economic and market outlook, and provides investing advice to help meet your individual needs.

 

Sincerely,

 

 *Redacted*

Director of Operations

*Redacted*