Investment fraud is a growing issue in Arizona, especially among senior citizens who are often targeted due to their accumulated wealth and potential vulnerability.
According to reports from the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, complaints about investment scams have increased significantly over the past few years. Fraudsters employ sophisticated schemes, making it challenging for individuals to distinguish legitimate opportunities from fraudulent ones.
Arizona’s securities market is governed by the Arizona Securities Act (A.R.S. § 44-1801 et seq.), which aims to protect investors from fraudulent practices. The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) and its Securities Division are responsible for enforcing these laws. Despite stringent regulations, fraudsters continue to devise new methods to exploit investors.
Since 1980, we have been devoted to helping Arizona investors and have successfully recovered over $175 million in settlements and verdicts on their behalf in the last 20 years when we started counting. View client testimonials here.
We have experience handling all types of securities fraud cases and utilize all available legal avenues from the federal level to Arizona law as it applies to investment fraud and stockbroker misconduct cases.
Don’t let investment fraud ruin your financial future – contact an Investment Fraud Attorney at the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. today via our quick-response form, or call our Phoenix office at (800) 732-2889.
Investment Fraud? We Can Help
Discuss your legal options with an attorney at The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A.
or, give us a ring at (800) 732-2889.
What is Investment Fraud & Examples Our Lawyers Can Help You With
Private Placements: These are advanced-level securities offerings not registered with regulatory authorities and are sold directly to a small number of accredited investors. While legitimate private placements exist, they can be exploited in fraudulent schemes where promoters sell unregistered securities or misrepresent the investment, leading to significant losses for less sophisticated investors.
Real Estate Investment Scams: In January 2022, the ACC ordered over $4.49 million in restitution from Premier Asset Management Group LLC and associated individuals from Paradise Valley, Scottsdale, and Tempe. They were found to have sold unregistered promissory notes, funding high-end real estate projects through cold calls and promising high yields without disclosing significant risks.
Ponzi Schemes Targeting Retirees: In March 2022, a Mesa resident and his company, Marketing Dynamics, Inc., were ordered to pay restitution for defrauding at least 22 investors, many with little to no investment experience. The scheme involved using funds from new investors to pay returns to earlier ones, a classic Ponzi structure that left many victims struggling financially.
Affinity Fraud: Scams that target members of specific groups, such as religious communities, ethnic groups, or professional organizations. Fraudsters exploit the trust within the group to defraud members.
Failure to Diversify: Responsible investing involves diversifying a portfolio to spread risk. Brokers must appropriately diversify clients’ investments; failing to do so is negligence and can lead to significant losses for which they are liable.
Breach of Fiduciary Duty: Investment advisors owe clients a fiduciary duty to prioritize their interests above all else. Breaching this duty by putting personal gains first can result in investor losses and negligence claims, leading to potential compensation for affected investors.
Inadequate Supervision: Investment firms must supervise their brokers and advisors. Failure to monitor employees properly can enable fraud or negligence, making the firm liable for misconduct that causes investor losses due to inadequate supervision.
Churning: Churning occurs when brokers excessively trade securities to inflate their commissions, disregarding the client’s best interests. This fraudulent practice leads to unnecessary fees and losses for investors, and brokers can be held liable for damages.
Suitability Claims: Brokers must recommend investments suitable for their clients’ needs and risk tolerance. If they advise on inappropriate securities, causing financial losses, they may be held liable. Investors can file suitability claims to seek compensation for their losses.
High-Yield Investment Programs (HYIPs): Unregistered investments typically advertised online that promise extremely high returns with little or no risk. These are often Ponzi schemes in disguise.
Microcap Stock Fraud: Manipulation of low-priced, thinly traded stocks (microcaps) through misleading statements to the public, resulting in artificial stock price inflation. Investors buy at inflated prices and suffer losses when the fraudsters sell their shares.
Broker Embezzlement: Dishonest brokers or financial advisors who steal client funds by misusing authorization, creating fake accounts, or forging documents. Clients may be unaware until significant losses have occurred.
What Can a Securities Fraud Lawyer Do for You?
A securities fraud and loss recovery lawyer helps investors recover investment losses that they lost due to a financial advisor or broker who did not act in their best interest. Typically, the lawyer will help the investor recover their losses through a process called FINRA arbitration.
Investment Losses? Let’s talk.
or, give us a ring at our Phoenix office at 800-732-2889.
Client Testimonials
Our Commitment to You
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Expertise in Arizona Law: We have a deep understanding of the Arizona Securities Act and stay updated on the latest regulatory changes to provide the most effective representation.
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Personalized Approach: We recognize that every case is unique. Our team is dedicated to understanding your specific situation to develop a tailored strategy for recovery.
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Aggressive Representation: We are relentless in our pursuit of justice, aiming to recover the maximum possible compensation for your losses.
Contact Our Arizona Securities Law Firm Today to See if We Can Help Recover Your Losses
The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., is a law firm specializing in representing defrauded investors recover. Arizona investment fraud attorney Robert Wayne Pearce specializes in getting individuals their money back from bad investments using any and all available methods.
If you are an investor who has recently dealt with investment loss due to potential securities or investment fraud, we want to help.
If you have questions about how to move forward, contact our team online or call our Phoenix phone number at (800) 732-2889 for a free confidential consultation with a securities lawyer. We will fight aggressively for your financial recovery and for justice!
Our Arizona investment and securities fraud lawyers works with clients throughout our state:
- Phoenix
- Tucson
- Mesa
- Chandler
- Scottsdale
- Glendale
- Gilbert
- Tempe
- Peoria
- Surprise
- Yuma
- Goodyear
- Avondale
- Buckeye
- Flagstaff
- Maricopa
- Lake Havasu City
- Casa Grande
- Queen Creek
- Prescott Valley