As an investor, you are told to expect fluctuations in the value of your portfolio. While you should be prepared to weather losses triggered by normal market fluctuations, under no circumstances should you suffer losses due to investment fraud. If your account has some of the tell-tale signs of broker misconduct, you should contact our securities law firm for a free case consultation.
Recover Investment Losses by Filing an Arbitration Claim with FINRA
Recovering fraudulent investment losses typically involves filing an arbitration claim with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). In most cases, brokerage agreements require firms, individual brokers, and investors to settle disputes through the FINRA arbitration process rather than a civil suit. FINRA arbitration provides a quicker and hopefully more streamlined process for resolving investors’ fraud claims against their brokerage firms and brokers. Our securities law firm has had significant success recovering millions of dollars in investor losses on behalf of our clients. Our clients’ FINRA arbitration awards speak for themselves.
Be Prepared with the Necessary Information for Your Securities Law Firm
If you suspect you are a victim of investment fraud, there are some important steps you can take to support your claim. Most importantly, you should educate yourself on the arbitration process. Speaking with a securities lawyer can help you prioritize what steps to take.
1. Collect Your Account Statements
You should collect your account statements dating as far back as possible—ideally before you suspect the fraudulent activity began. If your broker has been engaging in unauthorized transactions, charging excessive fees, or engaging in any of various other forms of fraud, your account statements could be key evidence in your FINRA arbitration case.
2. Collect Any Other Relevant Documentation
If you have prospectuses, emails, text messages, or any other documentation that you believe may be relevant to your investment fraud claim, collect these as well. When it comes to pursuing a claim for investment fraud, the more documentation you have, the better.
3. Learn More About Investment Fraud
Investment fraud can take many different forms. Whether you have a pretty good idea of what happened or simply have questions about unexplained losses in your portfolio, it will be helpful for you to learn more about what constitutes broker fraud.
4. Take Notes
Write down everything that made you suspicious. Was there a specific transaction that gave you pause? Have you had questions about your broker’s conduct for some time? How much of your investment losses do you believe are attributable to broker fraud? When you contact a securities law firm, you will want to be prepared to share as many details as possible.
5. Consult with an Investment Fraud Lawyer
The best thing you can do to prepare for FINRA arbitration is to consult with an investment fraud lawyer as soon as possible. At Kurta Law, we have recovered more than $100 million for investors, we provide free initial consultations, and we are available 24/7.
6. File a Statement of a Claim
This is the first step in the FINRA arbitration process. FINRA provides a portal where you can submit your Statement of Claim, including information about the parties involved, a description of the dispute, and the amount you seek to recover. Claimants also must pay filing fees, although FINRA can waive the fees in light of financial difficulties. FINRA has provided more in-depth information about what to expect when you file a Statement of Claim here.
Contact Our Securities Law Firm for a Free Consultation
If you believe that you may be a victim of investment fraud, we encourage you to contact us promptly for a free, no-obligation consultation about your legal rights. To speak with investment fraud lawyer Jonathan Kurta in confidence, call 877-600-0098 or request an appointment online now.