New Hampshire investment fraud attorney Robert Wayne Pearce at the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce P.A., has extensive experience representing investors and organizations in securities arbitrations through FINRA in the State of New Hampshire.
Have you fallen victim to investment fraud? Are you looking for an experienced attorney to help you fight for the compensation you deserve?
You need an investment fraud lawyer who is dedicated to protecting your rights as a New Hampshire-based investor.
We have 40 years’ experience helping clients and understand the frustration and stress that comes with being a victim of investment fraud, and we are here to help you navigate the legal process and hold those responsible accountable.
Since 1980, we have been devoted to helping investors and have successfully recovered over $170 million in settlements and verdicts on their behalf. View client testimonials here. We have experience handling all types of securities fraud cases and utilize all available legal avenues from the federal level to New Hampshire law as it applies to investment fraud cases. Don’t let investment fraud ruin your financial future – contact the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. today via our quick-response form, or call (800) 732-2889.
Definition of Investment Fraud and Securities Fraud
Investment fraud, often equated with securities fraud, involves deceptive tactics such as using false or misleading information to influence investors’ decisions, leading to significant financial losses. In some cases, dishonest brokers may even engage in the direct theft of investors’ funds or securities.
All forms of investment fraud aim to deceive investors into taking actions that benefit the perpetrator financially. This may include schemes like fraudulent representations, churning, unsuitable recommendations, Ponzi schemes, pump-and-dump schemes, or the sale of unregistered securities. Securities fraud is an illegal or unethical activity for which there are civil remedies.
“Did you know that in the first quarter of 2023, The FTC has reported nearly 50,000 individual cases of investor fraud with an estimated $1.9 Billion in total losses?”
Brokers, broker-dealers, and investment advisers often sell new and exotic investment products to earn high commissions and profits, regardless of whether their clients are prepared to handle potential losses. These complex investment products and strategies, which are suitable only for a small portion of investors willing to take significant risks, are sometimes used to obscure excessive trading and risk within accounts.
Example Scenario: A broker convinces an investor to allocate a substantial portion of their retirement funds into a high-risk, illiquid investment. The broker minimizes the associated risks, overstates the potential returns, and urges the investor to make a hasty decision. Eventually, the investment collapses, resulting in considerable financial losses for the investor.
When you first hired your broker-dealer, it’s likely that you trusted them to put your best interests first. Unfortunately, many brokers and financial advisors don’t live up to their fiduciary duty or have committed outright securities fraud. They might mislead you about investments, conceal risks, engage in excessive trading (churning) to generate commissions, or overcharge you with hidden fees.
Investment Losses? We Can Help
Discuss your legal options with an attorney at The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A.
or, give us a ring at (800) 732-2889.
New Hampshire and Federal Laws That Protect Investors
New Hampshire investors benefit from a robust framework of protections designed to ensure fair and transparent markets. These safeguards include:
- Key Laws and Regulations
- New Hampshire Uniform Securities Act: The cornerstone of New Hampshire 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.
- New Hampshire Business Corporations Act: This outlines shareholder rights and the responsibilities of company leaders, aiming to ensure that corporations act in the shareholders’ best interests.
- New Hampshire Regulation of Business Practices for Consumer Protection: This broad law empowers investors to take action against unfair or deceptive investment practices.
- Governing Agencies
- New Hampshire Bureau of Securities Regulation: This agency is the primary watchdog for the New Hampshire securities industry. They register offerings, license brokers, investigate misconduct, and educate investors about their rights.
- Office of the New Hampshire Attorney General (Consumer Protection Division): Focused on consumer protection, this office can intervene in cases of investment fraud or other deceptive practices that harm New Hampshire investors.
- 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.
Useful Resources
- New Hampshire Bureau of Securities Regulation: https://www.sos.nh.gov/securities-information-investors
- Office of the New Hampshire Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division: https://www.doj.nh.gov/consumer/
- FINRA: https://www.finra.org/
- SEC – https://www.sec.gov/
How our New Hampshire Securities Law Attorneys Can Help You
Yes, investment losses are a part of investing, but when brokers commit fraud, they can be held legally responsible. If you believe you have been a victim of investment fraud, it is important to contact an investment fraud lawyer with experience handling these types of cases. Regulatory bodies like the SEC or FINRA might also need to be alerted to potential market manipulation or insider trading.
The quicker you take action, the better your chances of securing compensation. At the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., we have a strong track record of assisting numerous investors in recouping losses from investment fraud. We will conduct a comprehensive investigation of your case, identify any misrepresentation or fraudulent activities, and vigorously advocate for your right to justice and the compensation you are owed.
If you have lost money due to negligence or fraud by a stockbroker or advisor, the easiest way to know if you have a case is to call our office at 800-732-2889. Here’s how our knowledgeable and experienced investment fraud law firm can advocate for you:
- Represent & Advise: We’ll stand as your legal representative, advising you on your rights and options throughout the process.
- Investigate & Analyze: We’ll thoroughly investigate your case, meticulously analyzing financial documents and potential fraudulent schemes to uncover evidence of wrongdoing.
- Identify Liable Parties: We’ll work strategically to identify all potentially liable parties, including brokers, financial advisors, and financial institutions.
- File Complaints & Lawsuits: We’ll file formal complaints with regulatory agencies (such as the SEC or FINRA) and, when necessary, initiate lawsuits to protect your interests.
- Litigate & Negotiate: We are skilled litigators ready to fight aggressively for you in court or arbitration. Additionally, we’ll negotiate tirelessly to secure the most favorable settlement possible.
- Recover Losses: Our ultimate goal is to recover your financial losses and protect you from further harm. We are results-driven and committed to achieving the maximum financial recovery you deserve.
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 and/or New Hampshire securities laws, breached their fiduciary duty to you as an investor or acted negligently in handling your account. There are many different types of claims and that’s why you need experienced attorneys to help you win your money back.
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.
As an investor, you have certain rights that must be respected and protected.
We’re currently investigating several financial firms and stockbrokers who may have been the subject of customer complaints, may be facing legal action, and who may have acted unethically and committed fraud in New Hampshire, including:
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/alan-stroshine-edward-jones/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/michael-fetzner-lpl-financial/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/jack-yvars-royal-alliance-associates/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/kerry-pope-fidelity-distributors-company/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/russell-demarest-mml-investors-services-2/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/ronald-majewski-pruco-securities/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/kelly-roskilly-ameriprise-financial-services/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/dain-stokes-lpl-financial/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/russell-broad-valic-financial-advisors/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/craig-guinta-ameriprise-financial-services/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/ryan-gordon-fidelity-brokerage-services/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/michael-francoeur-cambridge-investment-research/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/michael-fulchino-fidelity-brokerage-services/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/charles-kulch-next-financial-group/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/alan-appelbaum-aegis-capital/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/james-knee-voya-financial-advisors/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/nicholas-armellino-gms-group/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/steven-syslo-morgan-stanley/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/aaron-griswold-merrill-lynch-pierce-fenner-smith/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/joseph-larocca-garden-state-securities/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/meghan-elliott-pfs-investments/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/kinan-nimeh-garden-state-securities/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/farrukh-kazmi-berthel-fisher-company-financial-services-inc/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/william-ard-morgan-stanley/
- https://www.secatty.com/investigations/alan-lewis-wells-fargo-clearing-services/
Some of our Lawyer’s Success Stories Include:
FINRA ARBITRATION AWARD $2,752,049
Case No. 10-03554
College Health and Investment, Ltd. v Wells Fargo Advisors LLC
This FINRA Arbitration by College Health against Wells Fargo Advisors followed a Federal court proceeding for aiding and abetting the defendant in that case in the theft of funds from the family holding company’s brokerage account at the firm.
FINRA ARBITRATION SETTLEMENT $2,500,000
This FINRA Arbitration involved Puerto Rico investors who claimed their Puerto Rico broker-dealer overconcentrated their accounts in Puerto Rico municipal bonds and further made an unsuitable recommendation to “hold” those positions when it knew market conditions were perilous. The case settled in 2019.
FINRA ARBITRATION AWARD $2,554,896
Case Number [REDACTED]
[REDACTED] et al. v. [REDACTED] et al.
In April 2015, Mr. [REDACTED] became an investment advisor with discretionary authority over multiple accounts for his ex-wife, [REDACTED]. He immediately engaged in a highly leveraged overly concentrated and therefore unsuitable investment strategy which resulted in [REDACTED] losing millions of dollars in several months. The claims in this FINRA Arbitration were settled against two of the Respondents and went to hearing with the third Respondent, [REDACTED]. In September 2021, after 5 days of hearings, the arbitrators awarded Mrs. [REDACTED] $2,554,896.
Did You Know . . . Investment Fraud Attorney Robert Pearce Has Single-Handedly Collected Over $170 Million On Behalf of His Clients
In the last 20 years alone, Robert Pearce has recovered over $170 million for his investor clients. In fact, he has recovered funds for over 99% of his investor clients through various avenues of recovery, including settlements, arbitrations, and court litigation.
No investment fraud firm can ever guarantee the same or similar results in any given case. However, when you hire the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., you can sleep well knowing you are in qualified and capable hands. Attorney Robert Pearce has represented hundreds of investors over his 40 year career and in the last 20 years alone recovered over $170 million for his investor clients.
Robert Pearce will fight for your rights day in and day out to get you the recovery you are entitled to.
What Can an Investment Fraud Lawyer Do for Investors?
What Can an Investment Fraud Lawyer Do for Investors?
An investment fraud lawyer helps investors recover investment losses that they lost due to a financial advisor or broker who did not act in their best interest. Typically, the lawyer will help the investor recover their losses through a process called FINRA arbitration.
Investment Losses? Let’s talk.or, give us a ring at 800-732-2889.
Client Testimonials
What is the Cost to Hire a Securities Attorney?
An initial consultation with a securities attorney is typically free. During this consultation, the lawyer will review your case and give you an estimate of the legal fees. If you decide to move forward with the case, you will typically be asked to sign a contingency fee agreement.
A contingency fee agreement means that you will only have to pay the lawyer if he or she is successful in recovering money on your behalf. If the lawyer is not successful, you will not owe any legal fees.
What Are the Statute of Limitations?
In cases of investment fraud, it is critical to act quickly due to the statutes of limitations under both New Hampshire and federal laws, which impose deadlines for initiating legal claims. In New Hampshire, you typically have 2 years from the discovery of the fraud to file a claim, but no more than 6 years from the date of the violation. On the federal level, the deadline for filing securities fraud cases is usually 5 years from the date of the violation or 2 years from when the fraud was, or should have been, discovered. Consulting with an attorney promptly is essential to ensure your claim is filed within these specified time limits.
Types of Investment and Securities Fraud Cases We Can Help Represent You With
There are a variety of investment fraud tactics that unscrupulous brokers and advisors may use.
Our firm has represented investors who have fallen victim to a wide range of investment fraud tactics, including:
- Unsuitable Investments: Recommendations not aligned with the investor’s needs.
- Forced liquidation (forced selling): Broker sold without warning client or advising on margin calls.
- Ponzi Scheme Fraud: Fraudulent investment operation promising high returns.
- Excessive Trading (Churning): Excessive transactions to generate advisor commissions.
- Misrepresentation & Omission: Deceptive or misleading information about investments.
- Breach of Fiduciary Duty: Prioritizing advisor interests over the client’s best interests.
- Unauthorized Trading: Executing trades without client permission.
- Failure to Supervise: Brokerage firms not adequately monitoring advisors.
- Overconcentration or lack of diversification: Holding too much of a single investment, increasing risk.
- Theft or Misappropriation of client funds: Brokers stealing money for their own personal use.
- Mutual Fund Sales Violations: Recommending unsuitable mutual funds or excessive switching.
- Excessive Markups/Markdowns: Inflated prices when buying/selling securities.
- Selling Away: The advisor sells unapproved investments outside the firm.
- Broker & Advisor Negligence: Failure to adhere to industry standards.
- Margin Abuse: Encouraging excessive margin use, leading to high risks.
- Conflicts of Interest: Prioritizing advisor/firm profits over client interests.
- Private Placements: Selling risky, non-registered securities.
- Cryptocurrency Fraud: Deceitful schemes related to digital currencies.
- 401(k) Plan Misconduct: Fiduciary breaches affecting retirement plans.
- Microcap Fraud: Manipulation of stocks of small companies.
- Mining and Mineral Investment Fraud: Schemes involving fictitious investments in mining or minerals.
- EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program Fraud: Scams related to obtaining visas through investment.
- Advance Fee Schemes: Asking for upfront fees in exchange for non-existent investments.
- Including many more that we can’t fit on this list
Contact a New Hampshire Securities and Investment Fraud Attorney Today
The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., is a law firm specializing in representing defrauded investors recover. New Hampshire investment 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 561-338-0037 for a free confidential consultation with a New Hampshire securities lawyer. We will fight aggressively for your financial recovery and for justice.
Our law firm works with clients in Manchester, Nashua, Concord, Dover, Rochester, Salem, Londonderry, Keene, Portsmouth, Goffstown, New Hampshire and throughout the state. Robert Wayne Pearce has decades of first-hand experience in FINRA securities arbitration, and is one of the preeminent experts in this matter both nationwide and internationally.