When you take your hard-earned money and put it in the hands of a broker, it means you trust them to handle your investments with integrity and a high standard of duty of care. Even though the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) oversees the trading industry to ensure the integrity of financial systems in the U.S., unfortunately, some brokers engage in bad practices leaving investors vulnerable to losing their money.
Unauthorized trading means that a broker is making trades for a customer without the customer’s prior authorization. Here are the red flags you should know.
Whether you’ve used the same brokerage firm for years or you are new to investing, it’s critical to review your account statements, trade confirmations, and online activities when it comes to your investment accounts. When checking your accounts, look for the following warning signs that point to excessive trading practices:
You may submit a complaint to the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) or FINRA if you suspect unauthorized trading or any other harmful practices, including the following:
It’s also critical to contact an experienced investment fraud attorney to learn your rights.
Suffering financial losses due to the negligence of a broker that you’ve trusted is a devastating experience — and not knowing where to turn for help can leave you feeling scared and hopeless. Know that you are not alone, and you have the right to seek justice.
Our highly experienced investment misconduct attorneys are here to hold financial institutions and brokers accountable for their negligent acts. We are here to support you through a difficult time and to help you recover your losses.