Securities Fraud Blog
Alternative Investments: Be Careful!!!
As contingency fee lawyers, we evaluate a steady stream of potential securities fraud cases. We meet with investors of all ages and backgrounds who have been cheated, defrauded and tricked into making bogus investments. We evaluate far more cases than we agree to take. One of the most difficult types of cases that we… Read More »
What Types of Misconduct Does FINRA Look For at Brokerage Firms?
FINRA has released its annual examination priorities letter. The letter identifies the specific areas FINRA will be focusing on when it conducts examinations of its member brokerage firms in the coming year. According to FINRA, the list is developed based on trends it has seen in the previous year, as well as concerns expressed… Read More »
Tips for Protecting Your Investments
It’s your money. You worked hard to earn it. It’s taken years to save it. Now you need to protect it. Here are some tips to help you make more informed investment choices and protect yourself from investment scams. Check out the “salesperson.” Just because someone says they have a securities license doesn’t mean… Read More »
What are the Differences Between FINRA Arbitration and Mediation?
When you open a brokerage account, you most always agree to bring any future disputes that arise with your stockbroker or brokerage firm to FINRA for adjudication. This means you give up your right to a jury trial. FINRA offers both arbitration and mediation services. In a nutshell, mediation is where a neutral third-party… Read More »
Will Trump kill the new fiduciary rule?
In the wake of the recent presidential election, speculation abounds that President-elect Trump will kill the Department of Labor’s so-called fiduciary rule, set to take effect in April 2017. Wall Street hates the new rule, as it imposes significant obligations upon them when dealing with IRAs and other retirement accounts. Prior to the new… Read More »
Offers to Recoup a Lost Investment: Are They Legitimate?
If you have lost money in a securities investment, obviously you would be happy to recoup some of those funds. Many companies that offer assistance with recovering lost capital, however, are likely fraudulent. A company may sound credible, have authentic looking documents, and a fancy website, but if the deal sounds too good to… Read More »
Can a FINRA Securities Arbitration Award be Appealed?
Yes, technically, but in reality, no. Under the law, a FINRA securities arbitration award can be appealed, but practically speaking, arbitration awards are rarely changed when appealed. Indeed, under the Federal Arbitration Act and the Florida Arbitration Act, a party has the legal right to file an action in court to vacate or modify… Read More »
Arbitrating an Investor Case vs Suing in Court
An investor who is abused by his or her securities broker cannot sue in court. Instead, the investor must sue the broker or the brokerage firm in arbitration before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, otherwise known as “FINRA.” FINRA maintains its own arbitration forum that shares certain features of court litigation, but is also… Read More »
Managing Finances After the Death of a Loved One
How to handle the finances after the death of a loved one. In September 2016, the Florida Office of Financial Regulation issued a Consumer Alert titled “Managing Finances After the Death of a Loved One.” The alert makes a number of helpful recommendations to take following the death of a family member or loved… Read More »
Is Anybody Watching Your Broker?
The financial industry is highly regulated, and for good reason. People entrust their stockbrokers and financial planners with some of the most important decisions in their lives, namely, what to do with their hard earned life savings. Money is important, and especially for the elderly and retired, it cannot always be replaced. If money… Read More »
