Our Texas Stockbroker Fraud Lawyers Recover Investor Money
Have Your Broker’s Actions Cost You Financially?
While many stockbrokers are honest and ethical, there are a significant number who are not. If you believe your broker acted fraudulently and cheated you out of money, you may be able to hold him or her accountable and get your investment back. When an experienced Texas stockbroker fraud lawyer from Wolper Law Firm, P.A. takes on your case, we will do everything legally possible to obtain repayment of your losses. Stockbrokers are supposed to work in the interests of their investor clients. When greed causes them to prioritize making money for themselves over pursuing potential returns for their investors, investors lose. These stockbrokers and their firms can be held to account in arbitration or litigation for their fraudulent actions. If you’ve lost substantial money in the stock market and believe it was due to broker misconduct, reach out to a Texas stockbroker fraud attorney for help. Our attorneys have a combined 30 years of experience practicing in securities law and will put their in-depth knowledge to work for you. Call us at 800.931.8452 to arrange a free consultation.Get Legal Help from a Law Firm With a Strong Reputation for Recovery. Our Stockbroker Fraud Attorneys in Texas Have Won Money in Over 95% of Cases We’ve Handled and Recovered Millions for Wronged Investors.
How Do I Know If I Have Been Defrauded by My Broker?
Turn to a Texas Stockbroker Fraud Attorney to Discover the Truth
Stockbroker fraud schemes are often not discovered until investors have lost a significant amount of money. For this reason, it is crucial to keep a close eye on your accounts. If you notice any of the following signs in reviewing your accounts, it could mean you have been or are still being defrauded:- An overall and steady decline in your gains
- Large losses or gains when you asked for lower-risk investments
- Unauthorized transactions on your accounts
- An influx of trade confirmations
- Complex transactions you do not understand
- Low or no returns when similar investments have yielded high returns or gains
- Dramatic changes in the composition of your investment portfolio
- Most of your investment portfolio is concentrated on one product.
Why Choose Wolper Law Firm, P.A. When You’ve Been Cheated by Your Broker?
Our Texas stockbroker fraud attorneys spent years defending the brokerage houses that they now pursue on behalf of investors, which has given us exceptional insight into how brokers and their firms think and operate. We have parlayed this knowledge into a track record of wins for our investor clients, some of which you can read about here. You can also learn about our legal services from satisfied clients.Still unsure? We provide free consultations, so it costs nothing to speak with us to learn whether you have a strong case. We also work on a contingency basis. When we handle your case, we get paid only when we get you a recovery. And we are proud to say that we have recovered money in more than 95% of cases.Call us today at 800.931.8452 to begin the process of holding your unscrupulous broker accountable.
Our Stockbroker Fraud Lawyers in Texas Fight Broker Misconduct
There are a variety of ways dishonest individuals engage in stock broker misconduct in the complex securities industry. As attorneys who focus exclusively in this area of the law, we are able to recognize investment misconduct when it occurs and build strong cases toward recovering money for our clients.Common Types of Investment Fraud and Negligence
Failing to diversify– Lack of diversification is an over-concentration of an investment portfolio in one area. It’s very risky, given the volatility of the financial markets. Recommending unsuitable investments – Stockbrokers are obligated to recommend investments that align with an individual’s goals and risk tolerance. When they do not and an investor loses money, the broker may be to blame. Misrepresenting or omitting information – In an attempt to influence your decision to invest, a broker may leave out pertinent information or mislead you about the opportunity. Unauthorized trading – If your broker executed transactions in your non-discretionary account without your approval, they can be held accountable for unauthorized trading. Excessive trading (churning) – Making an excessive amount of trades in an investor’s account generates high commissions for the broker and can cause massive investment losses. This illegal practice is commonly called churning. Selling away – Selling away is when a broker offers securities to an investor that are not held by their brokerage firm, which means these securities were not properly vetted. Selling away can result in massive losses for investors. Negligent portfolio management – Stockbrokers are supposed to understand the markets, which is why people turn to them for investment help. But when professionals in the securities industry are careless in managing investment portfolios, they are guilty of negligence. Failing to supervise – Brokerage firms are responsible for monitoring their staff to ensure they are not committing fraud and are competent in their jobs. When they fail to supervise and problems occur, brokerage firm can be held accountable for the actions of their brokers.How Will Your Texas Stockbroker Fraud Attorneys Help Me Recover My Investment Losses?
Going to FINRA Arbitration
Arbitration through the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is the most-often used method of recovering investment losses. FINRA is a not-for-profit organization that licenses and regulates stockbrokers and brokerage firms. The organization is overseen by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. FINRA arbitration is similar to a civil trial, except that you go before an arbitrator or arbitrators who decide the outcome, instead of a judge or jury. If you’ve lost less than $100,000, your case will come before a one-panel arbitrator. If your losses exceed $100,000, three arbitrators will hear your case. During arbitration you and your attorney will present evidence to the arbitrators, as will the respondent, who is the person and/or firm you are making the claim against. The arbitrators will review all the evidence and make a decision. It is important to note that FINRA arbitration decisions are binding, so you cannot appeal them. However, if you win your arbitration case, your broker will be required to repay you for some or all of your stock losses within 30 days of the arbitration decision.Why You Should Work With a Texas Stockbroker Fraud Lawyer in Arbitration
While you are not required to hire a lawyer to go to FINRA arbitration, here are some reasons to do so:- Securities fraud is a very complex area of the law. Attorneys who understand how to bring these types of claims will know how and where to investigate for evidence in order to prove fraud to the arbitrators.
- You can be sure that your broker and their brokerage company will have their own skillful attorneys representing them.
- Our Texas stockbroker fraud attorneys work on a contingency basis, so we only get paid if we get you recovery.
Filing a Lawsuit
Taking your stockbroker fraud claim to court is another potential option for wronged investors. If it makes sense in your case, we will not hesitate to take your case all the way to trial if necessary. However, in many cases, investors are bound to arbitration agreements when they sign up with a brokerage firm. If going to court is an option in your case and you are considering filing a lawsuit, be aware that a trial will typically take much longer to resolve than going to arbitration.Mediation in Stock Fraud Cases
Whether your claim goes to arbitration or to court, an attempt may be made at some point to settle the dispute using mediation. FINRA offers mediation to resolve stock fraud disputes prior to or even if the arbitration process has already begun, but it is voluntary and both sides must agree to it. If you decide to sue, the judge may order mediation. If your claim goes to mediation, we can represent your interests in negotiations.Turn to a Texas Stockbroker Fraud Attorney When You Have Been Taken Advantage of By a Broker. We Are Dedicated to Helping You Get Full Recovery.Learn more about your legal options when you have been the victim of investment fraud. Contact a committed Texas investment fraud lawyer at Wolper Law Firm, P.A.. Call 800.931.8452 to schedule a free, no-obligation case review.
Stockbroker Fraud Frequently Asked Questions
Our Texas Stockbroker Fraud Lawyers Have the Answers
Fraud committed by a stockbroker is frustrating and confusing. You may not wish to believe that the professional you trusted with your investments is dishonest. You probably have many questions about your rights and legal options. Here, our Texas stockbroker fraud attorneys address some of the most frequent questions we receive. For answers to questions about your unique case, contact Wolper Law Firm, P.A. to arrange a free consultation.
As set forth in FINRA Rule 12206, you have six years from the date that the stockbroker fraud occurred to initiate an arbitration claim. For this reason, it is critical that you keep close watch on your accounts for any unusual activities. If you notice any, do not risk running out of time. Contact our stockbroker fraud attorneys in Texas as soon as possible to initiate a complaint.
The average arbitration case through FINRA takes approximately 16 months from filing a claim to reaching a decision. If the decision goes in your favor, the broker/brokerage firm who committed the fraud will be ordered to pay you compensation within 30 days. If your case is able to be settled through FINRA mediation it usually takes around 12 months.
Generally, if the stockbroker and/or the brokerage firm fails to pay you within that timeframe, they can have their FINRA registration suspended or revoked. If they still fail to pay, you may be able to take them to civil court to try and collect on the judgment. If you have not been paid after receiving a FINRA arbitration award or mediation settlement, contact our stockbroker fraud attorneys in Texas for help.
Pay attention for red flags during interactions with your broker. Do they offer you low-risk, high-reward investments that seem too good to be true? Do you feel as if they are trying to rush or pressure you into investing in a particular stock or mutual fund? Or is the investment they are presenting to you so complicated that you can’t understand it? These can all be signs that your broker is acting fraudulently.
When you are looking for a new stockbroker and brokerage firm, you can get licensing and other background information by visiting FINRA BrokerCheck and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission website.
Whether your case goes to arbitration or litigation, you’ll need strong evidence to persuade the arbitrators or judge that you were defrauded by your broker. Types of evidence could include the following:
- Account statements
- Email, text and voicemail messages
- Written or recorded notes about conversations with your broker
- Witness statements.
Speak with Our Experienced Stockbroker Fraud Attorneys in Texas. We Provide Free, No-Obligation Consultations
Although you may feel overwhelmed at the thought of pursuing arbitration or other legal action, unless you do so you may not stand a chance to ever recover your investment losses, which may greatly affect your retirement or other future plans and goals. When you work with Wolper Law Firm, P.A., our responsive stockbroker fraud attorneys in Texas will seek to make the process as low-stress for you as possible. We will provide one-on-one guidance and be at your side to guide and represent you throughout the proceedings. Your initial consultation is free, and because we work on contingency, you will not owe us anything if we don’t win your case. Don’t let your investment money go into a dishonest stockbroker’s pocket. Call us today at 800.931.8452 to learn how we can help you.Attorney Matthew Wolper
Matt 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.
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