You should consult and consider hiring an investment fraud lawyer when you feel that you have become the victim of investment fraud. Remember, the sooner you get help the better your chances are of recovering lost funds or damages.
Are You Dealing with Investment Fraud?
When you hire a firm or financial advisor to manage your investments, you expect them to do so with your best interests in mind.
Unfortunately, however, that is not always the case.
In fact, investment fraud occurs more than you might think. If you are a victim of investment fraud, it is time to consider hiring an experience investment fraud lawyer.
Investment fraud is a white-collar crime that involves fraudulent schemes designed by brokers that are used to gain finances from unsuspecting investors.
This frequently looks like seemingly trustworthy advisors misrepresenting information for their own benefit. These “bad brokers” then take advantage of their trusting clients who have put their hard earned money into the hands of their advisors.
You may think this could never happen to you. But investment fraud is often difficult to identify.
Sometimes, you don’t realize you’ve been defrauded until it’s too late.
IMPORTANT: If you have lost money due to negligence or fraud by a stockbroker or advisor, the easiest way to know if you have a case is to call our office at 800-732-2889.
If you believe you are dealing with investment fraud, you should strongly consider hiring an investment fraud attorney. The quicker you reach out, the quicker you can begin the process of recovery. The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., offers free consultations. Give our securities fraud attorneys a call at 561-556-2927. Let’s discuss your case and see what we can do to help you get the compensation you need and deserve.
Don’t Wait—Learn How an Investment Loss Attorney Can Help You Recover Today
If you have suffered financial losses due to the fraudulent activities of a brokerage firm who was entrusted with your investments, don’t wait any longer.
Contact an investment fraud lawyer today.
Firms can be held liable for their fraudulent activities in FINRA arbitration, whether the victims were private individuals or other brokerage firms. If you have lost money to a brokerage firm who you believe to have fraudulent activity on your securities and investments, you may be entitled to compensation.
For over 40 years, the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., has represented both defrauded investors and brokers or fiduciaries wrongly accused of regulatory violations.
Robert Wayne Pearce and his legal team has experience handling all types of investment-related disputes, and they are prepared to help you too.
Contact him today by sending an online message or calling (561) 338-0037 to see how an investment attorney and security fraud lawyer can help you get the recovery you need and deserve.
At the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A, we provide investment fraud attorney services in all U.S. states:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Not All Investment Fraud Lawyers Are Created Equally
Investment fraud is a serious violation of your rights. And for such a serious violation, you needa serious investment loss lawyer.
However, not all investment fraud lawyers are created equal.
A stock lawyer is not the same as a stock fraud lawyer. An investment attorney is not the same as an investment fraud lawyer. And a securities lawyer is not the same as a securities fraud lawyer.
When you lose money at the hands of a brokerage firm you entrusted with your investments, you need an attorney who knows how to handle investment fraud and can help you get your money back.
Likewise, if you are a broker or fiduciary who has been accused by federal agencies of noncompliance with regulatory requirements, you need a competent attorney to defend you.
Not all attorneys are equipped to do these things, but Attorney Robert Wayne Pearce is.
The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce have a primary focus on investment fraud cases.
Our main areas of practice include:
- Suing brokerage firms to get money back for investment clients who have been defrauded;
- Representing brokers in wrongful termination and other employment disputes; and
- Regulatory defense.
We know selecting an attorney to take on your investment fraud case is no easy task. Here are a few reasons why we think the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., is the investment fraud law firm for you.
Did You Know . . . Attorney Robert Pearce Has Single-Handedly Collected Over $160 Million On Behalf of His Clients
In the last 20 years alone, Robert Pearce has recovered over $160 million for his investor clients. In fact, he has recovered funds for over 99% of his investor clients through various avenues of recovery, including settlements, arbitrations, and court litigation.
No investment fraud firm can ever guarantee the same or similar results in any given case. However, when you hire the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., you can sleep well knowing you are in qualified and capable hands. Attorney Robert Pearce has represented hundreds of investors over his 40 year career and in the last 20 years alone recovered over $160 million for his investor clients.
Robert Pearce will fight for your rights day in and day out to get you the recovery you are entitled to.
Did You Know . . . Some Securities Fraud Attorneys Inflate Their Experience by Combining the Number of Years of Experience for Each Attorney On Staff.
Attorney Robert Pearce has been personally recovering money for his clients for over 40 years.
When your livelihood is on the line, experience can be one of the most vital attributes in an investment fraud attorney. Robert Pearce has the experience you will surely need to navigate the complexities of an investment fraud case.
Don’t settle for less than the absolute best—it’s what you need and deserve!
Did You Know . . . You Can Speak to Attorney Robert Pearce About Your Case for FREE
We know what’s at stake in an investment fraud case. You’ve already lost so much at the hands of those you thought you could trust.
That’s why it won’t cost you anything to speak to Robert Pearce about your claim. He will work for you on a contingency fee basis. This means that you do not have to pay our firm any fees unless and until we win your case.
Suffering a loss in an investment fraud scheme can be traumatic enough. Attorney Robert Pearce is here to help you recover your losses. So contact us today at (561) 338-0037 for your free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and legal options moving forward.
Did You Know . . . Some Securities Fraud Attorneys Inflate Their Experience by Combining the Number of Years of Experience for Each Attorney On Staff.
Attorney Robert Pearce has been personally recovering money for his clients for over 40 years.
When your livelihood is on the line, experience can be one of the most vital attributes in an investment fraud attorney. Robert Pearce has the experience you will surely need to navigate the complexities of an investment fraud case.
Don’t settle for less than the absolute best—it’s what you need and deserve!
Did You Know . . . You Can Speak to Attorney Robert Pearce About Your Case for FREE
We know what’s at stake in an investment fraud case. You’ve already lost so much at the hands of those you thought you could trust.
That’s why it won’t cost you anything to speak to Robert Pearce about your claim. He will work for you on a contingency fee basis. This means that you do not have to pay our firm any fees unless and until we win your case.
Suffering a loss in an investment fraud scheme can be traumatic enough. Attorney Robert Pearce is here to help you recover your losses. So contact us today at (561) 338-0037 for your free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and legal options moving forward.
Our No-Pressure Policy
We understand if you’re not ready to discuss your case quite yet. Below, you will find resources related to investment and stockbroker fraud to help you learn more while you continue to consider your options.
When you are ready to take the next steps, we will be ready too. When the time is right for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out for a review of your case.
Common Questions About Investment Fraud Answered
Being defrauded by a brokerage firm whom you thought you could trust can be difficult. The aftermath can be financially devastating and emotionally traumatizing. You may not know who to turn to, and you may have many questions.
But know there are ways to recover. We want to help you get the answers you need so you can begin the process of moving forward.
What Is Investment Fraud?
Investment fraud occurs when an entity, such as a brokerage firm, takes your money with the promise of investing it and instead uses it for other purposes, resulting in monetary loss. Investment fraud schemes are often characterized by offers of guaranteed returns and low- to no-risk investments.
If an investment appears too good to be true, it might be. Contact an investment loss attorney today to see if you might be the victim of an investment fraud scheme.
What Are Common Types of Investment Fraud?
One common type of investment is securities fraud, which includes fraud involving stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.
In this type of scam, the fraudster either sells worthless securities or securities that do not exist. Typically the fraudster will tell the investor that the security will earn significant funds, producing fabricated documents to further their scheme.
Another type of investment fraud is a Ponzi scheme. A Ponzi scheme is a scam that promises high rates of return for investors with little risk.
When new investors provide investment funds, those funds are used to pay returns to earlier investors. However, when there are no new investors, returns are no longer paid. Ponzi schemes are similar to what are known as “pyramid schemes,” both of which are based on using new investor funds to pay earlier backers.
Other common types of investment fraud might involve:
- Breach of fiduciary duty,
- Churning or excessive trading,
- Unsuitable investments,
- Theft and forgery,
- Unauthorized discretionary trading, and
- Market manipulation fraud.
No matter the scenario, if you have suffered monetary loss at the hands of a broker, contact an investment fraud attorney today to get the representation you need to get back what was wrongfully taken from you.
What Does An Investment Lawyer Do?
An investment lawyer is a type of securities attorney who specializes in representing individual investors and institutions in cases involving investments, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds and other financial instruments. Investment lawyers help clients with matters such as handling disputes over failed investments or recovering losses from fraud or negligence.
Typically, an investor will contact an investment lawyer if he or she believes they have been wronged by their broker-dealer or financial advisor and they have suffered a substantial financial loss as a result.
The attorney will then determine if the investor has a valid claim and may proceed with filing a FINRA arbitration claim or taking other legal action on the investor’s behalf. If the FINRA arbitration claim is successful, the investor may be awarded monetary compensation for their losses.
Do You Need to Hire An Investment Fraud Lawyer “Near Me”?
Since securities are primarily a federally regulated industry, it is not necessary to hire a local investment fraud lawyer. This can be to your benefit as you have the ability to select a highly-experienced and knowledgeable lawyer regardless of geography.
Not only should you choose an investment fraud law firm that has experience and expertise in the securities industry, but you should also choose a firm with experience in taking cases through a process called FINRA arbitration.
Most investment fraud cases that have investment losses are handled through FINRA arbitration instead of a local court system. This is because FINRA regulates the securities industry and requires customers to submit their disputes to arbitration before filing a lawsuit in court.
Note: When hiring a securities attorney, it is important to choose one who regularly practices in the field of securities law and arbitration. Securities law is a complex and ever-changing area of law, so you want to be sure that your attorney is up-to-date on the latest legal developments.
Is There a Difference Between a Securities Fraud Lawyer and an Investment Fraud Lawyer?
There is no difference between a securities fraud lawyer and an investment fraud lawyer. The terms are interchangeable and are used to describe a lawyer who specializes in representing investors in disputes involving investments, such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds and other financial instruments.
Securities fraud lawyers may also be referred to as stockbroker fraud attorneys or investment dispute attorneys.
Regardless of what they are called, the goal of these lawyers is to help investors recover losses through FINRA arbitration or other legal action.
What Types of Investment & Securities Fraud Do You Handle?
Regardless of the investment fraud issue you are facing, the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., is prepared to handle your case.
Examples of investment fraud disputes we have handled include:
- Fraud and misrepresentation,
- Negligence and breach of fiduciary duty,
- Mismanagement of trusts,
- Mismanagement of investment accounts,
- Unsuitable investments,
- Failure to diversify,
- Failure to supervise, and
- Broker or advisor misconduct.
If you have lost money due to the wrongful, fraudulent, or negligent actions of the broker or advisor entrusted to handle your investments, Robert Pearce can help you through the process of seeking the recovery you deserve.
What Are My Rights as a Customer of a Financial Advisor?
As the customer of a financial advisor, it is important to note that you have rights.
When you invest, you have a right to:
- Request information about the risks, obligations, and costs of your investments;
- Receive investment recommendations that are consistent with your financial needs and objectives;
- Receive statements that are accurate and understandable; and
- Discuss any problems, issues, and discrepancies with your financial advisor.
Your relationship with your financial advisor should be ongoing, transparent, and trusting. If your advisor fails to provide you with consistent, sufficient, and accurate information, or if something just doesn’t feel right, contact a skilled investment fraud attorney today to see what options you may have.
What Rules & Regulations Do Financial Advisors Have to Abide By?
Stockbrokers are subject to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s (FINRA) suitability rules.
According to FINRA Rule 2111, a broker must have a reasonable basis to believe that a recommended transaction or investment strategy is “suitable” for the client.
There are three primary suitability obligations for firms and associated persons:
- Reasonable-basis suitability,
- Customer-specific suitability, and
- Quantitative suitability.
These suitability obligations are imperative to ensure that investment customers are protected and receive fair and ethical investment services.
Additionally, under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, firms who receive compensation for advising others about securities investments must register with the SEC and conform to certain regulations. These regulations were put in place to protect investors.
Under the Act, your registered investment advisor (RIA) owes you certain fiduciary duties.
Your RIA owes you independent duties to:
- Provide advice that is in your best interest;
- Seek the best execution for your investments; and
- Provide you advice and monitoring over the course of your relationship.
These rules and regulations are extremely important. However, accusations by federal agencies such as FINRA or the SEC for violations of these rules and regulations do not always have merit.
If you are a broker or investment professional that has been wrongfully accused of regulatory noncompliance, a regulatory defense attorney can help you fight back.
What Kind of Compensation Am I Entitled To?
Each year in the United States, thousands of investors lose valuable, hard-earned money due to investment fraud. While it can be discouraging to fall victim to an investment fraud scheme, don’t give up hope. There are ways you can recover.
When an investor suffers losses to their investment accounts due to the negligence or misconduct of a broker, that investor can bring a civil lawsuit or file an arbitration claim to recover those losses.
The facts and circumstances of your individual case will affect the extent to which you may be able to receive compensation. But an experienced investment fraud lawyer can help you determine how and what you may be entitled to recover.
What Should I Do If I’ve Sustained Losses from Investment Abuse?
If you have sustained losses due to investment abuse, it is time to take action now.
Your investments are vital to your future. When an advisor or broker takes advantage of you and your investments, you are entitled to compensation. Contact an investment fraud attorney today to begin the process toward financial recovery and peace of mind.
You might be tempted to seek advice from your financial advisor after you have sustained investment losses. However, they will likely tell you that markets are volatile and losses are to be expected. While this is true to an extent, an advisor acting in bad faith will say this no matter what in an attempt to cover their own fraudulent actions.
An investment fraud lawyer can provide you with an objective, non-biased analysis to help you determine whether something more sinister is at play.
Don’t Wait – Learn How Securities and Investment Fraud Attorneys Can Help You
If you are an investor who has suffered significant investment losses by the hands of a broker-dealer or financial advisor, you may have grounds to pursue a FINRA arbitration claim. A knowledgeable and experienced securities arbitration attorney can help you determine if you are entitled to financial compensation for your losses.
Let our attorneys at The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. help you determine if you have a valid claim and how to proceed. We have extensive experience in securities arbitration, FINRA law, and representing investors who were victimized by financial advisors or broker-dealers.
You can contact one of our qualified attorneys today at (800) 732-2889 to discuss your case and learn more about how we can help you get the compensation that you deserve.
Brokerage firms can be held liable for their actions, and our goal is to hold them responsible.
For over 40 years, the securities fraud attorneys at The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. has been devoted to helping investors recover their losses due to investment fraud or negligence by their broker or brokerage firm.
Lead attorney Robert Wayne Pearce and his legal team have experience handling all types of investment-related disputes, and they are prepared to help you too.
Contact him today by sending an online message or calling (800) 732-2889 to see how an investment fraud attorney can help you get the recovery you need and deserve.
Past Investor Recoveries
The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., has helped recover millions of dollars in valuable compensation for defrauded investors. Below are some notable victories in past investor recoveries.
$21,041,285 Federal Court Final Judgment
In 2010, Robert Pearce won a case in federal court for $21,041,285. The final judgment was entered against the defendant for fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and civil theft pursuant to Florida Statutes Sections 812.014 and 772.11.
$7,840,000 FINRA Arbitration Settlement
In this FINRA arbitration, Robert Pearce effectuated the resolution of the case through mediation on the eve of trial. This case involved a complex options trading strategy in the oil and gas sector against one of the largest Midwest broker-dealers in the United States.
$4,300,000 Federal Court Class-Action Settlement
Robert Pearce represented investors in a class-action lawsuit against accounting and legal professionals for allegedly aiding and abetting a Ponzi scheme.
After years of litigation and removal from state to Federal court, the lawsuit was finally resolved through mediation in 2017. The investors were awarded more than $4.3 million to the receivership for the benefit of the investors.
Attorney Robert Pearce has tried over 100 cases to trial verdict or arbitration award in his career. In this time, he has lost only four cases for investors, gaining the trust and respect of countless happy clients.
Whether your case results in trial verdict, arbitration, or settlement, the Law Offices of Robert Pearce, P.A., will fight for your rights and do everything in its power to get you the results you deserve.
Hear From Our Clients
At The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., we believe the ultimate barometer of our success is surpassing the expectation of our clients.
The following clients have direct knowledge of our firm's processes from the inside and experienced our fierce advocacy.
Hear From Our Clients
Why Do I Need An Investment Fraud Attorney?
Falling victim to investment fraud can turn your life upside down. When you’ve set aside significant sums of money to put toward your future and those funds are siphoned away into the pockets a firm with bad intentions, it can be difficult putting your trust in anyone else moving forward.
However, know that there are still people you can trust. You can recover, and you are not alone.
While things may feel hopeless now, an investment fraud attorney can help you recover so that you can finally begin to move forward.
An experienced investment fraud law firm can help you:
- Review documents and records related to your investments to determine whether your investments were reasonable or fraudulent;
- Research your financial advisor and their actions with respect to your investments;
- Assess the total losses you incurred due to the fraudulent and wrongful actions of your advisor;
- Determine what compensation you may be entitled to recover; and
- Pursue an action on your behalf against your advisor to get you the compensation you deserve.
The quicker you reach out, the quicker you can begin the process of recovery. So don’t wait any longer—contact the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., today for your free consultation. Give us a call at 561-338-0037. Let’s discuss your case and see what we can do to help you get the compensation you need and deserve.