South Carolina’s senior population is projected to nearly double by 2030, reaching about 1.8 million, drawn largely by its coastal and Upstate retirement communities. Seniors have lost nearly $298 million annually to fraud and investor misconduct, tying with the nation’s highest per-capita rate of elder abuse and exploitation complaints.
We know how overwhelming it feels to watch your savings disappear at the hands of someone you trusted, and we are here to fight for you.
How Our South Carolina Investment Loss Attorneys Can Help You
While investment losses are a natural part of the investing process, brokers can be held legally accountable when they commit fraud. If you suspect that you’ve been a victim of investment fraud, it’s crucial to consult with an aggressive lawyer who specializes in these cases.
Additionally, it may be necessary to report the incident to regulatory authorities such as the SEC or FINRA, especially if there’s a possibility of market manipulation or insider trading.
The sooner you act, the greater your chances of recovering compensation. At the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., we have helped countless investors recover their losses due to investment fraud. We will thoroughly investigate your case, uncovering any misrepresentation or fraudulent activity, and fight to get you justice and the compensation you deserve.
Our law firm serves clients throughout South Carolina:
Can I Recover my Investment Losses?
In order to recover your investment losses, you must prove that your broker-dealer or financial advisor violated federal securities laws, South Carolina Uniform Securities Act, breached their fiduciary duty to you as an investor or negligent.
In most cases, this means filing a FINRA arbitration claim against the broker-dealer and/or representative.
The majority of securities fraud cases are handled by FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) rather than being brought to the court system.
FINRA arbitration is a streamlined, cost-effective way to resolve disputes between investors and their brokers without going to court – it also allows you to collect punitive damages, which are not available in civil court.
South Carolina Securities Laws to Know
South Carolina investors benefit from a robust framework of protections designed to ensure fair and transparent markets. These safeguards include:
-
- Key Laws and Regulations
-
- South Carolina Uniform Securities Act: The cornerstone of South Carolina investor protection, this law combats fraud, mandates the registration of most securities, and provides avenues for investors to seek recourse if they’ve been misled.
-
- The South Carolina Business Corporations Act: This outlines shareholder rights and the responsibilities of company leaders, aiming to ensure that corporations act in the shareholders’ best interests.
-
- South Carolina Unfair Trade Practices Act (UTPA): This broad law empowers investors to take action against unfair or deceptive investment practices.
-
- Key Laws and Regulations
-
- Governing Agencies
-
- South Carolina Attorney General Securities Division: This agency is the primary watchdog for the South Carolina securities industry. They register offerings, license brokers, investigate misconduct, and educate investors about their rights.
-
- Office of the South Carolina Attorney General (Consumer Protection Division): Focused on consumer protection, this office can intervene in cases of investment fraud or other deceptive practices that harm South Carolina investors.
-
- Governing Agencies
-
- National Regulatory Bodies
-
- FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority): FINRA oversees all broker-dealers in the US, setting ethical standards, enforcing securities laws, and providing investor education resources. They work alongside the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) for broad investor protection.
-
- National Regulatory Bodies
Useful Resources
-
- South Carolina Attorney General Securities Division: https://www.scag.gov/inside-the-office/legal-services-division/securities/
-
- Office of the South Carolina Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division: https://consumer.sc.gov/
-
- FINRA: https://www.finra.org/
-
- SEC – https://www.sec.gov/
What Are the Statute of Limitations?
In South Carolina, the deadline to file securities fraud claims is generally three years from the discovery of the fraud, but no later than five years from the violation date.
At the federal level, the statute of limitations typically allows five years from the violation date or two years from when the fraud should have been discovered to file a case.
Contact our South Carolina Securities, Stockbroker and Investment Fraud Attorneys now
The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., is a law firm specializing in representing defrauded investors recover. South Carolina investment and stockbroker fraud lawyer 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 by phone at (800) 732-2889 for a free confidential consultation with a Carleston securities lawyer. We will fight aggressively for your financial recovery and for justice.
Client Testimonials
[trustindex no-registration=google]