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Reach Out to a Knowledgeable FINRA Lawyer

Did You Lose Money Due to Stockbroker Misconduct?

Get Help from an Experienced FINRA Lawyer

Losing money due to broker misconduct is unacceptable.

Losing money due to broker misconduct is unacceptable. Yet it happens to investors all the time. If it has happened to you, get help recovering the compensation that is rightfully yours by reaching out to a FINRA lawyer for assistance with an arbitration claim. FINRA, which stands for Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, is the largest self-regulatory organization of brokers in the country. The organization is responsible for overseeing brokers and brokerage firms and protecting investors from broker negligence and misconduct.

Arbitration through FINRA is typically the best way to go about obtaining full repayment of the losses you’ve endured at the hands of a stockbroker you trusted with your investments. It is usually less costly and faster than going to a court trial. However, pursuing a claim before FINRA to take on your broker, a financial planning corporation, and/or a brokerage firm on your own may be intimidating.

You can greatly increase the likelihood of a successful outcome by working with a skilled FINRA attorney who will ensure your case is the strongest it can be.

Don’t Go It Alone. Our Skilled FINRA Attorney Will Stand Up for You.

An experienced FINRA attorney from Wolper Law Firm, P.A. will stand up for you when you’ve lost money due to broker fraud. Our attorneys won’t back down without a fight. We have the experience and skills necessary to secure compensation for investors who have been defrauded, because we have in-depth insight into how brokerage firms operate. Prior to helping clients recover investment losses, our lawyers spent many years defending high-dollar brokerage firms and investment companies. This experience often allows us to anticipate the legal arguments brokers and their firms make and works to the advantage of our clients.

Don’t delay in contacting our FINRA lawyer if you have been the victim of broker misconduct. Call Wolper Law Firm, P.A. for help today at 800.931.8452. You can see our results here.

$850,0000 CLIENT RESULT

Recovery against National Brokerage Firm for Misrepresentations Regarding the Sale of Annuity and Insurance Products

Responsibilities of FINRA

FINRA is overseen by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Their primary goal is to ensure that the financial markets in the United States are running smoothly and fairly. Some of their key responsibilities include educating investors, implementing and enforcing ethics guidelines for all registered brokers and broker-dealers, and ensuring that brokers and firms comply with these ethics rules.

Investors who have reason to believe that their stockbrokers or financial planners have wronged them in some way, causing them large stock and investment losses that could have been prevented if it hadn’t been for the misconduct of these individuals and/or corporations, have options. Those investors can file complaints with FINRA and potentially be awarded repayment of their losses through arbitration or mediation. But knowing whether your losses were due to broker misconduct or negligence isn’t always easy. Experienced FINRA attorneys know the types of dishonest schemes that brokers use to defraud investors. Our FINRA attorney can help you understand whether you have been a victim of an unscrupulous stockbroker. If you have been, we can help you hold them accountable for their actions.

You Could Get Full Restitution for Your Investment Loss. Turn To Our Skilled Investment Fraud Lawyer To Learn More.

When to File a Complaint with FINRA for Investment Losses

Even if you have noticed a considerable loss in your portfolio, you may simply think that it was part of the risk you took in investing in the first place. This may be true in some cases, but you should be able to count on your stockbroker to avoid such losses wherever possible.

Some stockbrokers will make poor decisions surrounding your investments if it means they’ll see considerable personal financial gains, so you should be prepared to bring them to justice for this type of misconduct.

With that being said, there are some types of fraud that brokers engage in more frequently than others. The good thing is that these schemes almost always leave a trail of financial documents that can support your case if you choose to proceed with FINRA arbitration.

These schemes include:

  • Failure to supervise. Brokerage firms may be liable if they failed to properly supervise or train a broker who commits a violation.
  • Misrepresentation and/or omission. Misrepresentation is when a stockbroker intentionally withholds material information or provides investors with misleading information in order to influence an investment decision.
  • Excessive trading. Excessive trading, also known as churning, is when brokers over-trade in investors’ accounts in order to generate commissions for themselves on each trade.  
  • Failure to diversify. To avoid undue risk, investment portfolios should be diversified across businesses, industries and product types. When they are not and investors lose money, brokers may be liable for a failure to diversify.
  • Selling away. Selling away is when a stockbroker sells investments, often high-risk ones, that are not approved or offered by their brokerage firm.
  • Unauthorized trading. Unauthorized trading occurs when brokers make trades in nondiscretionary accounts without the authorization of the investors.
  • Unsuitable investment recommendations. When brokers recommend investment opportunities that are not aligned with the investment objectives and risk tolerance of their customers, those unsuitable investment recommendations may be evidence of fraud.

In the event that you are unsure whether you’ve been defrauded by your broker, you can bring your financial records and other relevant documents to one of our FINRA lawyers, who can assist you with your case.

If we find any evidence of misconduct, we’ll take the steps necessary to get your money back, which might require filing a FINRA complaint for arbitration. Call us for help at 800.931.8452.

CLIENT REVIEW

“I want to give a shout out to Wolper Law Firm, P.A.. I was very fortunate to have him in my corner. I never worried while he was handling my case. He’s very trustworthy, understanding, professional, kind, has awesome communication, and he always responded immediately. I could not be more satisfied. He provides A+ quality service. I highly recommend him, and he is now my go to lawyer. I wish he advertised on tv so others could be aware of his A+ firm. Thank you, Mr. Wolper for your dedication, hard work and taking my case.” – Kim I.

What to Expect from Your FINRA Arbitration Hearing

Your FINRA arbitration hearing will take place before either a single arbitrator or a panel of three arbitrators, depending on how sizable your losses were. The higher your losses, the greater the likelihood that a panel of three arbitrators will be necessary.

An arbitration hearing is quite similar to going to court in that both parties have the chance to present their version of events. You will be able to make a statement, present evidence demonstrating the losses you endured, and have witnesses testify for you. These can be both individuals who speak about the facts of the case, known as fact witnesses, and expert witnesses, if appropriate.

The other party will also be given the same opportunity to defend themselves.

Once the arbitrators have heard both parties plead their case, they will retire to deliberate and review the evidence of the case. From beginning to end, it could take as long as 18 months to hear a decision and to obtain an award if your claim is a success. If the arbitrator’s decision comes down in your favor, the responsible party will have up to 30 days following the decision to get your settlement to you.

Failure to do so can result in additional sanctions by FINRA and legal action on the part of your attorney, should it become necessary.

Don’t Wait When You Suspect Fraud – Reach Out to Our FINRA Attorney

Pursuing arbitration through FINRA is often the best way to ensure that you are fully compensated for the losses you took due to broker negligence or misconduct. You may also have other options for getting your money back, depending on the details of your case.

If you are interested in learning more about how a highly trained FINRA lawyer at Wolper Law Firm, P.A. can help you with your claim or other options you may have, come in for a free, confidential case review. When you are ready to set up your free review, we can be reached by phone at 800.931.8452 or via the quick submission form included below.

FINRA FAQs

Our FINRA Attorneys Answer Common Questions

Filing a FINRA complaint can be overwhelming, and the thought of having to bring your case before a panel of arbitrators may be intimidating. We’ve seen firsthand just how difficult it can be to gather up the courage to fight for the money that is rightfully yours. For this reason, we have provided answers below to frequently asked questions so you can better understand some of the most common concerns surrounding FINRA complaints and what to expect if you choose to move forward with your arbitration claim.

If you have other questions or would like a more personalized idea of what’s to come for your case, specifically, contact our office to set up a free consultation with a well-informed FINRA lawyer.

FINRA mandates that any complaints must be filed within six years of the date of the incident in question. If you did not discover a stock loss, investment loss, or other situation involving stockbroker misconduct until after the incident occurred, the six-year deadline may not begin until the discovery date. Unfortunately, if your FINRA complaint is not filed within six years, in most cases you will lose the chance to be awarded the compensation you might have otherwise won. If you believe you may have been the victim of stockbroker misconduct, don’t wait to speak with an attorney about filing a FINRA claim.

No, you cannot. When arbitrators issue a decision, the decision is final and is not able to be appealed. For this reason, many wronged investors will start off by going to mediation in the hopes of obtaining a settlement prior to going to arbitration. If mediation is unsuccessful, the next step is arbitration. Arbitration is typically less expensive, and decisions are generally issued more quickly than they would be if you tried to file a lawsuit against a crooked broker in the courts, which usually makes arbitration the more attractive option overall for investors who have suffered significant losses.

In FINRA mediation, an impartial and trained mediator helps brokers/brokerage firms and investors resolve disputes and reach settlements. Mediation is an informal process in which neutral mediators work to facilitate communication between the parties. Mediators do not make resolution decisions themselves, but instead encourage parties to reach agreements that are mutually acceptable. For mediation to occur, both sides must agree to it. Mediation can take place before arbitration or even during the arbitration process.

As previously mentioned, going to mediation is an excellent option if you want to avoid a hearing, and filing a lawsuit could be another option. The potential downsides to these methods is that a mediation settlement may not result in a full recovery of your losses, and a lawsuit can take years to resolve. FINRA arbitration is often the most likely to deliver the results you are looking for. Not only could you possibly recover full compensation for your losses, but you will have the opportunity to hold the liable party accountable for their misconduct, thus decreasing the chances that another investor will suffer damages as a result of the same irresponsible stockbroker or brokerage firm.

Investment disputes that come to FINRA are settled through arbitration (or mediation), not through a civil lawsuit. However, in some cases, investors may wish to file lawsuits through the courts rather than going to FINRA arbitration. But if you have signed an arbitration agreement with your brokerage firm, you probably will not be able to resolve your claim through a lawsuit in civil court. If you haven’t signed an agreement, our FINRA attorneys can help you explore your options for pursuing restitution to see what makes the most sense for your situation. Call us at 866.814.4939 to arrange a free consultation. Our attorneys are highly experienced at representing clients, both in FINRA arbitration and in civil litigation.

No—you don’t have to hire an attorney to file a complaint. If you believe your broker defrauded you and you want to report it to help protect other investors, you can file a complaint online with FINRA. Through an online FINRA complaint, you can initiate an investigation of your broker and/or the brokerage firm; if violation is found, FINRA will take appropriate actions against them. These actions could include fines, suspensions and even barring the broker from the industry. However, simply filing an online complaint with FINRA will not result in your getting your money back. To have a chance at getting compensation, you will have to take your claim to arbitration and/or mediation through FINRA. While you aren’t required to hire an attorney to arbitrate your case before FINRA, you stand a better chance of a favorable outcome if you do. Experienced FINRA attorneys understand what type of evidence is needed to prove fraud by stockbrokers and how to present the evidence to convince arbitrators in your favor. We cannot guarantee that an arbitration hearing will go your way — no attorney can. However, when you work with our FINRA lawyer, you can be sure that your case will be handled knowledgeably and professionally. Because, as previously stated, an arbitration decision cannot be appealed, it is to your great benefit to put your case in the best possible position for success. Our attorney has a greater than 95% success rate in recovering compensation for investors.

Anyone who invests in the stock market may be a victim of broker misconduct and fraud. Often people who are taken in by unethical brokers are passive investors who don’t regularly review their brokerage account statements, so they don’t realize that fraud is taking place. Elderly investors who have built up a lifetime of retirement savings are also often targets of unscrupulous brokers. In fact, elder abuse in investing has become a focus area for state and federal regulators. If you are a senior citizen who believes you have been the victim of broker fraud, our FINRA attorneys can help you understand your legal options. You can also get answers to your questions and report concerns about potential broker fraud at the FINRA Securities Helpline for Seniors. Remember, though, everyone of any age who invests can become the victim of stockbroker fraud. All investors should carefully monitor their accounts for any unusual and potentially fraudulent activity.

If your broker is found guilty of investment fraud, in addition to paying you restitution, your stockbroker could lose their broker’s license and certifications. Stockbrokers who commit fraud may also face jail time and hefty criminal fines to punish them for their wrongdoing. If you lost significant money in an investment and believe it was due to intentional fraud or negligence, contact our FINRA attorney for legal guidance today. Our well-informed FINRA lawyers can be reached seven days a week by calling 800.931.8452 or using our contact form.

Attorney Matthew Wolper

Attorney Matthew WolperMatt Wolper is a trial lawyer who focuses exclusively on securities litigation and arbitration. Mr. Wolper has handled hundreds of securities matters nationwide before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), American Arbitration Association (“AAA”), JAMS, and in state and federal court. Mr. Wolper has handled and tried cases involving complex financial products and strategies ranging from traditional stocks and bonds to options, margin and other securities-based lending products, closed/open-end mutual funds, structured products, hedge funds, and penny stocks. [Attorney Bio]

Protect Yourself from Unscrupulous Brokers

Don’t Be Taken In By Shady and Suspicious Promises

Here are some warning signs of investment fraud:

  • Your broker guarantees an investment will perform a certain way. Every investment involves some risk, and a broker cannot guarantee performance.
  • A stockbroker tries to sell you an unregistered security. Unregistered securities aren’t subject to all the laws designed to protect investors and are often sold by fraudsters.
  • The investment the broker describes is so complex that you can’t understand it. If you don’t understand the risks involved and they can’t be made clear to you, don’t invest.
  • A broker pressures you to make a quick decision on an investment, implying that if you don’t act right away you will lose the opportunity. Legitimate investment opportunities don’t disappear overnight.
  • You are offered a stock, mutual fund or bond but are told there is no documentation for it. If a stock or mutual fund doesn’t have a prospectus or a bond doesn’t have an offering circular, it could be unregistered or otherwise fraudulent.

  • A security you are offered appears to provide consistent high growth and high returns even during market dips. Every investment can experience some ups and downs.
  • Investors who don’t pay close attention to their brokerage account statements are often targets of fraud. To protect yourself, review your statements regularly for unauthorized trades, excessive trading and other possible signs of broker misconduct or negligence. If you see anything unusual, bring it to the attention of your broker and/or brokerage firm. If it can’t be explained to your satisfaction, contact a FINRA enforcement attorney from our law firm for assistance and report the broker to FINRA or another regulatory agency.
  • You can further safeguard your investment money by carefully investigating brokers you are considering using. When speaking with brokers, don’t be afraid to ask them about their experience and credentials. A reputable broker will be happy to inform you about his or her professional background.

Where to Review a Broker’s Credentials Online

You can check the FINRA website, the SEC website and state securities regulators, for information about brokers (and brokerage firms), their backgrounds and whether they have been disciplined for negligence or fraud.

Here are links to those sites:

We hope the information in this section helps protect you from unethical brokers and brokerage houses. If you’ve been unfortunate and lost money to broker fraud or negligence, reach out for help.

Get Help from Our Knowledgeable FINRA Lawyers

You’ve worked hard for the money you invest. When you trust a stockbroker and brokerage firm to ethically and honestly handle your investments so that you can have a comfortable retirement or reach another important goal, learning that you’ve been defrauded of a large amount of money is devastating. It can bring all of your plans to a screeching halt… potentially forever.

Our FINRA attorneys want to help you get your money back, whether through FINRA arbitration, FINRA mediation or a legal claim. We also want to hold unscrupulous brokers accountable for their actions. While many stockbrokers are honest individuals who sincerely want to help their clients grow their investments, the fair share who are negligent or dishonest negatively affect the reputation of the entire securities industry, as well as potentially ruining their clients’ financial lives. If you’ve lost a substantial amount of money and suspect it was due to broker misconduct, don’t wait to take action. The sooner you act, the faster you may be on the road to recovery.

Arrange a free consultation with a skilled FINRA lawyer for your broker fraud or negligence case by calling 800.931.8452.

Our attorneys at Wolper Law Firm, P.A. handle FINRA claims and other investment fraud cases for clients throughout the country. We can be reached seven days a week. Our business is to recover your investment losses.