Elder financial abuse is theft or mismanagement of an adult’s assets, often by a family member or trusted advisor. Warning signs include unusual withdrawals, sudden risky investment shifts, suspicious online contacts, unpaid bills, repeated money requests, unnecessary services, and coercion. If you suspect exploitation, seek help when needed, report concerns, and contact an attorney today.
Continue ReadingStock options are derivative contracts that give the holder the right, not the obligation, to buy or sell an underlying asset at a set strike price before expiration. Calls profit from rising prices; puts profit from falling prices. Options can magnify gains and losses, and some strategies resemble gambling, making them unsuitable for many investors.
Continue ReadingSecurities fraud, also called investment or stock fraud, occurs when false or misleading information is used to induce investors to buy, sell, or hold securities, causing substantial losses. It may be committed by brokers, advisors, firms, corporations, or online scammers. Common schemes include high-yield promises, Ponzi or pyramid tactics, advance-fee scams, unauthorized trading, and churning.
Continue ReadingThe Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. is representing co-trustees of a family trust in a FINRA arbitration against United Planners’ Financial Services of America and advisor Aaron Graham. Allegations include fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, and unsuitable recommendations tied to leveraged trading and margin. Investors with similar losses should contact our firm.
Continue ReadingBroker-dealer fraud occurs when stockbrokers put their financial interests ahead of customers, violating fiduciary duties through churning, misappropriation, unsuitable recommendations, or theft. Misconduct can be negligence rather than intent. Investors may pursue recovery through FINRA arbitration, often faster and more private than court, and should consult a securities attorney to evaluate options and protect rights.
Continue ReadingSolicited trades are transactions a broker recommends; unsolicited trades are those an investor proposes. That distinction matters because liability often turns on who initiated the idea when losses occur. Brokers must evaluate suitability under FINRA Rule 2111 and accurately mark order tickets. Reviewing trade confirmations and promptly disputing errors can help protect investors from misconduct.
Continue ReadingWilliam W. (Bill) King, formerly a Merrill Lynch broker, resigned after a surge of customer complaints alleging unsuitable investments and unauthorized options trading. BrokerCheck reflects multiple disputes, including settled matters and pending claims. Investors are urged to review account activity, document losses, and act quickly due to filing deadlines that can bar recovery in arbitration.
Continue ReadingLaw Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. investigates claims against brokerage firms that sold oil and gas stocks, drilling programs, limited partnerships, futures, or royalty interests. If losses stemmed from misrepresentations, omissions, poor due diligence, or unsuitable recommendations, investors may recover damages through FINRA arbitration. Our attorneys review records, file claims, and pursue compensation nationwide.
Continue ReadingA breach of fiduciary duty occurs when a financial professional violates trust-based obligations by putting their interests ahead of an investor’s. These claims often involve undisclosed conflicts, excessive fees, unsuitable strategies, self-dealing, or failure to act with due care. Our firm helps investors evaluate records, quantify losses, and pursue recovery through arbitration or litigation.
Continue ReadingA FINRA arbitration panel found Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. and Citigroup Alternative Investments, LLC liable, jointly and severally, for negligent management and negligent supervision. The panel awarded compensatory damages of $908,648.00 to the Gerald J. Kazma Revocable Trust and $908,648.00 to Amzak Capital Management, LLC, while denying pre-judgment interest and punitive damages in this dispute.
Continue Reading