In concluding its report, NASAA recommended ten purported best compliance practices to address various concerns.

FORBES: Top Broker Dealer Compliance Issues Disclosed By State Securities Regulators

Let me count the ways, starting with state securities regulators as represented by the North American Securities Administrators Association ( NASAA).

FORBES: JOBS Act Will Open Door to Investment Scams

After finding the number of my state's securities department, at www.nasaa.org, I called and requested a check of names through the Central Registration Depository.

FORBES: Investigate, then invest

Although the greatest number of violations (29 percent) were in bookkeeping, the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) found that supervision and sales practices combined amounted to 51 percent of the infractions.

FORBES: Bad Things Brokers Do and How to Avoid Them

You can also ask your local state securities (see NASAA link above to locate your state securities agency) or insurance regulator for a background check on any broker, adviser or agent.

FORBES: How A New Generation Of Con Artists Gets Inside Your Wallet

Heath Abshure, the current president of the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), a state regulators group, recently told one of the leading securities industry trade groups that small investors need the freedom to sue their brokers.

FORBES: How Small Investors Can Win Against Wall Street