Chicago investment fraud attorneys help investors recover from the aftermath of account mismanagement. They use structured case evaluations to uncover evidence you can use to support a claim in FINRA arbitration.
Case evaluations involve a systematic review of your account records for signs of misconduct. Chicago securities lawyers use their knowledge of investment products, financial industry standards, and securities law to identify red flags of investment fraud in your account documents.
The Chicago securities attorneys at Kurta Law help investors in communities across the Chicagoland area pursue financial recovery. We represent investors in FINRA arbitration, building strong cases and negotiating settlements for our clients.
If you have concerns about your broker’s conduct, reach out to Kurta Law for a free and confidential structured case evaluation and learn about your options for recovery.
What Signs Indicate Investment Fraud?
Investors often uncover fraud in their account when they follow up on unusual trading activity and other seemingly minor inconsistencies on their account statements. Chicago financial fraud attorneys can follow up on these red flags and identify regulatory violations.
Taking a closer look at your account can reveal signs of investment fraud, such as:
- Transactions you don’t recall approving
- Unauthorized changes to your profile information, e.g., risk tolerance, liquidity needs
- Contradictions in your broker’s claims
- Significant investment underperformance
- High fees and other investment costs
- Discovering investment terms your broker never disclosed
- Unexpected tax liabilities
If you notice any of these red flags or have other concerns about your account, a Chicago investment fraud attorney can conduct an in-depth examination of your records through a structured case evaluation.
How Chicago Securities Lawyers Investigate Fraud Claims
Case evaluations by Chicago financial fraud lawyers involve a thorough investigation of your account documents, including the following:
- Investment prospectuses and marketing materials
- Firm supervisory procedures
- Emails, texts, and other broker communications
- Risk disclosures
- Account opening documents, contracts, and other signed paperwork
- Investor profile information, like net worth, risk tolerance, and liquidity needs
Chicago securities attorneys look for patterns of suspicious activity, tracing the signs of unauthorized trading, misrepresentations of fact, or unsuitable investment recommendations across your documentation.
This information allows Chicago securities lawyers to determine the strength of your investment fraud claim. The evidence gathered during your case evaluation can be used to support a claim in FINRA arbitration.
Brokerage Firm Liability in Investment Fraud Claims
Under FINRA Rule 3110, brokerage firms must establish and enforce systems of supervision over their representatives to protect investors against fraud.
Supervisory systems must be reasonably designed to identify and address potential violations of securities laws. If firms fail to establish effective supervisory systems, appoint appropriately experienced supervisors, or respond to broker misconduct, they open themselves up to liability.
Chicago investment fraud lawyers look for signs of failure to supervise when evaluating investors’ claims. Evidence of firm liability can provide strong support to your case in arbitration or be used by your Chicago financial fraud attorney to negotiate a settlement.
Types of Claims Evaluated by Chicago Financial Fraud Attorneys
Many types of regulatory violations qualify as investment fraud. From complex fraudulent schemes to violations of industry standards of conduct, Chicago financial fraud lawyers handle a wide range of misconduct cases so investors can focus on their recovery.
The Chicago investment fraud attorneys at Kurta Law help investors with a wide range of allegations:
- Breach of Contract
- Breach of Fiduciary Duty
- Boiler Rooms
- Cherry-Picking
- Churning or Excessive Trading
- Elder Financial Abuse
- Excessive Commissions
- Failure to Execute
- Failure to Supervise
- Forgery
- Hedge Fund Fraud
- Insider Trading
- Margin Accounts and Margin Calls
- Misrepresentation and Omission
- Mutual Fund Fraud
- Stockbroker Negligence
- Overconcentration (Failure to Diversify)
- Ponzi Schemes
- Pump and Dump Schemes
- Pyramid Schemes
- Selling Away
- Stockbroker Loans
- Theft/Conversion
- Stock Market Manipulation
- Unauthorized Trading
- Unsuitable Investments
- Violation of Blue Sky Laws
This is not an exhaustive list. Brokers, registered investment advisers, estate planners, and other financial professionals may take advantage of their clients in many other ways. A Chicago securities lawyer can help you determine your next steps by evaluating your case.
How Illinois State Regulators Protect Investors
Several regulatory agencies protect Chicago investors against fraud. Filing a consumer complaint or fraud tip with state regulators can protect other investors from exploitation and lead to regulatory action against fraudsters.
The Illinois Securities Department provides resources for investors to look up their broker and registered investment advisors’ registration, administrative actions taken by the Department, and state securities laws.
The Securities Department also pursues civil and criminal actions against financial professionals and their firms if they find evidence that state securities regulations were violated.
While it does not take direct complaints from investors, the Financial Crimes Prosecution Unit of the Illinois Attorney General’s Office investigates claims of investment fraud received from other state law enforcement agencies.
Instead, more general fraud claims are handled by their Consumer Fraud Bureau, which also publishes fraud alerts and other resources for investors to stay informed about scams.
Regulators protect all investors, but don’t seek damages on behalf of individuals. A Chicago financial fraud lawyer can help you determine how and where to file a complaint, as well as how to proceed with your fraud claim in FINRA arbitration.
Kurta Law Chicago Investment Fraud Attorneys Can Help
Kurta Law helps investors recover damages through FINRA arbitration and other avenues. Our Chicago securities attorneys build strong cases using extensive documentation gathered from your account.
FINRA arbitration is simpler and more cost-effective for investors than civil court, but a Chicago investment fraud lawyer can give you an advantage. We know the typical defenses firms make against investor allegations and how to argue against them.
We have a history of achieving recovery of our clients through arbitration awards and negotiating settlements. Our Chicago investment fraud lawyers advocate for your interests throughout the arbitration process, arguing for your need for recovery and illustrating the gravity of your financial harm.
For more information on FINRA arbitration, see our pages on the steps involved and how to prepare for your arbitration. Kurta Law Chicago financial fraud lawyers are ready to help any investor who has concerns about the performance of their portfolio.
Chicago And Other Areas We Serve
The Chicago financial fraud attorneys at Kurta Law work with investors throughout the Chicagoland area, including the following communities:
- Aurora
- Naperville
- Arlington Heights
- Schaumburg
- Elmhurst
- Skokie
- Waukegan
- Tinley Park
Our Chicago investment fraud lawyers also help investors across Illinois. For a list of the other locations we serve, visit our (Illinois page /illinois-investment-fraud-lawyer/).
Talk to a Chicago Investment Fraud Attorney
At Kurta Law, we understand how investment fraud can have long-lasting consequences.
Our Chicago securities attorneys have years of experience representing investors with claims of unsuitable investment recommendations, mismanagement, deceptive sales practices, and other allegations of misconduct.
Contact Kurta Law today for a no-cost structured case evaluation and learn about your options for recovering damages.