The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. has represented investors across South Carolina for decades, recovering millions in damages for victims of investment and securities fraud. If you’ve suffered losses at the hands of a dishonest broker or financial advisor in Greenville, our firm has the experience and track record to fight for you. From FINRA arbitration to federal court litigation, we handle every aspect of your case. Securities fraud claims have strict filing deadlines, and waiting can cost you your right to recover. Call us today at (800) 732-2889 or send us a message online for a free consultation with a Greenville investment fraud lawyer.
What Is Investment and Securities Fraud?
Investment fraud occurs when a broker or financial advisor deceives a client through false statements, misleading omissions, or manipulative tactics designed to generate financial gain at the investor’s expense. Securities fraud is a specific category of investment fraud governed by both federal law and the South Carolina Securities Act. It covers a wide range of misconduct, including misrepresentation of material facts and market manipulation.
Many of our clients come to us after losing retirement savings or life savings they spent decades building, often without realizing what happened until the damage was done. We understand how devastating that feels, and we will fight to get back what was taken from you.
Types of Securities Fraud Cases We Handle
Our firm handles a wide range of securities fraud cases across Greenville and South Carolina, including Ponzi schemes, churning, unauthorized trading, and unsuitable investments. If any of these sound familiar, you may have a valid claim and we want to hear from you.
Ponzi Schemes
A Ponzi scheme is a form of securities fraud where returns paid to earlier investors come entirely from money brought in by new ones, rather than any legitimate business activity or profit. Operators typically promise consistent, above-market returns to attract victims while concealing the fact that no real gains are being generated.
Many victims invest for years, watching fabricated account statements show steady growth, before the scheme collapses and the full scope of their losses becomes clear.
Churning
Churning happens when a broker executes an excessive number of trades in your account not because the trades benefit you, but because each one generates a commission for them. This practice violates FINRA suitability rules, which require brokers to recommend only transactions that are appropriate for your specific financial situation and goals.
One client came to us after losing over $200,000 in trading fees before discovering her broker had been churning her account for years. Brokers who engage in this conduct breach their fiduciary duty and can be held fully liable through FINRA arbitration.
Unauthorized Trading
Without your explicit approval, your broker has no legal authority to execute a single trade in your account. Unauthorized trading, meaning any transaction carried out without your knowledge or consent, is a direct violation of both FINRA rules and South Carolina state securities laws, and even one instance can serve as grounds for a FINRA arbitration claim.
If you’ve reviewed your account statements and noticed transactions you never approved, you may have a stronger case than you realize. A pattern of unauthorized trades often points to deeper broker misconduct that warrants a full investigation, and victims have real legal options for pursuing recovery.
Can I Recover My Investment Losses in South Carolina?
Yes. South Carolina investors who suffered losses due to broker misconduct have real legal options for pursuing full recovery. Depending on the circumstances of your case, damages can include the return of your principal losses, lost profits you would have otherwise earned, fees you were wrongfully charged, and in some cases punitive damages when the conduct was especially egregious.
FINRA arbitration is the primary venue for bringing these claims, and experienced fraud lawyers know how to build a case that holds brokers and their firms accountable. The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. have recovered over $185 million for investment fraud victims nationwide, and we are ready to put that record to work for you.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Securities Fraud in South Carolina?
South Carolina investors generally have three years from the date they discovered, or reasonably should have discovered, a securities fraud violation to file a claim. The South Carolina Securities Act also imposes a hard five-year cap measured from the date the violation actually occurred, regardless of when you became aware of it. Once either deadline passes, your right to recover is permanently gone.
Federal claims brought under SEC Rule 10b-5 follow a separate timeline, with a two-year window from discovery and a five-year statute of repose. If you suspect fraud, the SC Secretary of State Securities Division is one resource for reporting misconduct, but speaking with an attorney first will help you understand your options and protect your claim before any deadlines close in.
How Can a Greenville Securities Fraud Attorney Help You?
A Greenville securities fraud attorney starts by investigating the full scope of what happened, gathering account records, trade confirmations, and communications to build the strongest possible case on your behalf. From there, we identify every liable party, whether that means your individual broker, their supervising firm, or other advisors who contributed to your losses.
While some investment fraud cases carry parallel criminal defense considerations, our focus is pursuing maximum civil recovery for you through FINRA arbitration or litigation. Our attorneys handle every stage of that process, from the initial consultation through the final hearing, so you never have to navigate it alone. Many cases resolve through arbitration without ever setting foot in a courtroom.
Why Choose the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce?
If you are searching for securities fraud attorneys with a proven record of results, Robert Wayne Pearce has spent decades representing investors against some of the largest brokerage firms in the country. We handle every case on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover money for you. Our attorneys have fought for clients throughout South Carolina and across the nation.
Contact the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. to Learn More About Investment and Securities Fraud in Greenville, SC
Call (800) 732-2889 or send a secure message online today for a free consultation with a Greenville investment fraud attorney. Our securities fraud attorneys are ready to review your case and help you pursue the recovery you deserve.