Feb 2, 2023

Can a Lawyer Help Investors with Unauthorized Trading?

The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. has experience handling unauthorized trading and investor disputes with broker-dealers. Our unauthorized trading lawyers understand the complexities of securities law, as well as the impact that unauthorized trading can have on an investor’s financial future. Brokers must get approval from clients before making trades in a standard brokerage account. When a broker makes a trade (or trades) without first discussing this with their client, this is known as unauthorized trading. If you’ve been a victim of unauthorized trading and suffered financial losses, there is hope – you may be able to recover your money.  But you must call us at (800) 732-2889 promptly to avoid ratification and waiver defenses the financial advisors lawyers will raise to avoid paying you back! What is unauthorized trading? Unauthorized trading is any purchase or sale of securities made on behalf of a client without prior permission, knowledge or consent. FINRA Rule 2510(b) prohibits brokers from buying or selling securities in non-discretionary brokerage accounts without talking to customers and getting their approval. This may also be considered a violation of FINRA’s standards for commercial honor, fair trade practices, and prohibitions against manipulative or fraudulent behavior (FINRA Rule 2010 and FINRA Rule 2020). Unauthorized trading doesn’t apply to discretionary accounts. A discretionary account is an account in which the broker has been granted authority (prior written authority) to make decisions regarding investments and the brokerage firm has approved the account for discretionary trading. How to Spot Unauthorized Trading To prevent unauthorized trading, it’s important to stay on top of your investment account. Here are some tips to help you spot it: Remember, the quicker you report unauthorized trading, the stronger your case will be. So don’t hesitate to take action if you suspect something’s amiss. Have You Suffered Investment Losses Due to Unauthorized Trading? If you think your broker made unauthorized trades, it’s important to act. A securities lawyer can help you understand the situation and figure out the next steps. Contact us today at (800) 732-2889 or fill out one of our short contact forms. Can You Sue Your Broker for Unauthorized Trading? Yes, you can sue your broker for unauthorized trading. Investment loss claims are most often addressed through arbitration, which is governed and regulated by FINRA. The FINRA arbitration process allows investors to resolve disputes with their brokerage firms without having to go to court. The arbitration process tends to be faster and less expensive than a traditional lawsuit. If you’ve suffered financial losses due to unauthorized trading, our experienced securities attorneys can help you file a claim against the broker-dealer. We are here to fight for your rights as an investor. Contact us today for more information. Related Read: Can You Sue a Financial Advisor or Stockbroker Over Losses? Do You Need an Unauthorized Trading Lawyer? It is crucial to have an attorney who understands the complexities of securities law, as well as the rules that brokers must abide by when dealing with clients’ accounts. Making the wrong choices now could result in losing your ability to recover any losses. A good unauthorized trading attorney knows how to avoid the ratification and waiver defenses! At the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., our attorneys understand how difficult it is for investors when brokers breach their fiduciary duty and make unauthorized trades. We are here to help you get the compensation that you deserve for your losses. We’ve been helping investors recover lost money for over 40 years. Our track record speaks for itself. We’ve helped recover over $175 million for our clients. Contact the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. today to learn how we can help you with your unauthorized trading dispute. We provide free consultations, so don’t wait – schedule yours now and get the legal help you need.

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Jul 21, 2022

Can a Broker Sell My Stocks Without My Permission?

You looked into your investment account and discovered that a number of your shares had been sold without your permission. You didn’t give the go-ahead, so you’re understandably confused, frustrated, and angry. What do you do now? First, you need to determine who sold your stocks. If it was your broker, you may be finding yourself asking whether or not your broker can sell stocks without your permission. Can my broker sell my stocks without permission? Your broker cannot sell stocks without your permission, unless you have given written authorization to do so. This is called unauthorized trading and not permitted under securities industry rules. Need Legal Help? Let’s talk. or, give us a ring at 561-338-0037. However, while the appropriate authorization must always be obtained, a broker does not necessarily need to obtain express permission for every transaction. In this article we will review the two circumstances in which a broker may sell securities without prior notice to or consent from the client. Note: If you believe you have suffered losses on your investment as a result of unauthorized trading, you should speak to a stockbroker fraud attorney about your legal rights. Is Your Investment Account a Discretionary Account? The first instance when a broker may sell stocks without your permission is if they are trading in a discretionary account. A discretionary account is one in which the broker has the authority to make investment decisions on behalf of the client, without prior approval from the client. If you are unsure whether or not you have a discretionary account, you learn about the difference between a non-discretionary and discretionary account here. In order for a broker to sell stocks in a discretionary account, they must have what is called “discretion.” This means that the broker must have reasonable grounds to believe that the sale is in the best interests of the client. The key word in this definition is “reasonable.” This means that a broker cannot simply sell stocks without your permission because they feel like it. There must be a reason for the sale, such as an expectation of a market decline or other adverse event that could impact the value of the security. If you do not agree with a decision made by your broker in a discretionary account, you have the right to object and have the decision reviewed by a supervisor. Is There a Margin Call on Your Account? The second instance when a broker may sell stocks without your permission is in response to a margin call. A margin call is when the broker demands that the client deposit additional funds or securities to cover the cost of the stock purchased on margin. Technically, you probably gave him permission when you opened your margin account. If you do not meet the margin call, the broker has the right to sell the securities to cover the margin debt. This is done in order to protect the interests of the broker and the securities lending institution. Trading on a margin account is a risky investment and can result in substantial losses. For this reason, it is important to understand the risks before opening a margin account. You can learn more about margin trading on FINRA’s website. Get a Second Opinion: Contact a Stockbroker Fraud Lawyer Today If you have discovered that your broker sold stocks without your permission, you may be feeling overwhelmed and confused. You may be wondering what your legal rights are and whether or not you can take action. The best way to determine your legal rights and options is to speak with a stockbroker fraud lawyer. The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. specializes in representing investors who have suffered losses as a result of investment fraud. We offer free, no-obligation consultations so you can learn more about your legal rights and options. Call us today at (800) 732-2889 to speak with an stockbroker fraud lawyer.

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Jul 1, 2020

FINRA Arbitration: What To Expect And Why You Should Choose Our Law Firm

If you are reading this article, you are probably an investor who has lost a substantial amount of money, Googled “FINRA Arbitration Lawyer,” clicked on a number of attorney websites, and maybe even spoken with a so-called “Securities Arbitration Lawyer” who told you after a five minute telephone call that “you have a great case;” “you need to sign a retainer agreement on a ‘contingency fee’ basis;” and “you need to act now because the statute of limitations is going to run.”

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