Trading with TD Ameritrade/Thinkorswim? Beware...

Hey everyone. 1st post here, long time lurker.

I'm in a bit of a battle with TD Ameritrade regarding their unethical behavior after I exposed a glitch in their charting software that falsely adjusts volume bars so each day's volume looks massive compared to the recent past.

They have shown extreme arrogance by brushing this issue aside, even after I implied that it could be considered market manipulation since investors are being induced to trade on falsely magnified volume. At very best it is extremely unethical on their part to let this "glitch" continue.

I wrote a post about it here if you guys want more details

If you find this to be as outrageous as I do, and they're your broker, then make sure to give them a call, an email or a tweet so they can know that investors won't stand for this nonsense.

But most of all, watch out! These guys (all brokers) are out to get the small investor, no matter how much they want us to think they've changed since the financial crisis. It's always great to have a reminder that a healthy dose of skepticism is necessary to be a prudent investor/trader.

*Edited to add the correct chart

18 Comments
 

TD Ameritrade, Inc., member FINRA / SIPC / NFA . This is not an offer or solicitation in any jurisdiction where we are not authorized to do business. TD Ameritrade is a trademark jointly owned by TD Ameritrade IP Company, Inc. and The Toronto-Dominion Bank. © 2013 TD Ameritrade IP Company, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

I'd imagine they are registered with the securities administration in every state, but I'd contact the relevant parties for whatever state you are currently residing in and the state of New York and see if they have an open investigation into this practice.

 

I submitted a complaint to FINRA yesterday so hopefully that will light a fire. I'm just hoping to get them to do the right thing.

 

I didn't think this battle I'm having could be any more bizarre but Ameritrade has really impressed me. If you want a good laugh check out my update to the story.....

....Well, I guess I haven't proved myself here to the mods' liking because I still can't post the link. But if you look at my recent post from the link above, it'll be right there at the top (called "How to Muck Up a Chart")

 

What happened to the post ? I dont see it anymore . It looks like you have been forced to take it down what happened ?

 

I took all 3 posts down voluntarily, they never asked me to, but I feared they might try to file a lawsuit of some kind. They were forced to respond to me and to fix it per my FINRA complaint. I feel there is a slam dunk case for a class action but it would be a major headache and I don't want to bear the financial burden if I'm unsuccessful....the big corporation wins again.

 

Est voluptates iste repudiandae sint nihil eum ut ab. Praesentium odit ut neque delectus est assumenda. Est consequuntur qui atque itaque debitis et culpa. Aliquam suscipit voluptatem rerum perspiciatis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (66) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”