An investment fraud attorney helps investors recover financial losses caused by broker misconduct, unsuitable recommendations, or deliberate fraud. Haselkorn & Thibaut, P.A., operating as Investment Fraud Lawyers, maintains a 98 percent success rate across hundreds of securities arbitrations and settlements.
Our partners are former Wall Street defense attorneys. We spent decades defending the largest financial institutions.
Now we use that insider knowledge to fight for individual investors. We know how the other side thinks, prepares, and where it is vulnerable. Call 1-888-885-7162 for a free, confidential case review. We handle these cases on a contingency basis — no recovery, no fee.
What an investment fraud attorney does
We evaluate whether a broker or firm violated regulatory rules. We build a claim that establishes the misconduct, documents the financial harm, and demands recovery. We do not handle personal injury, divorce, or general civil litigation. Every case we take is a securities case.
Our work includes reviewing account statements, trade confirmations, marketing materials, and written communications. We identify missing disclosures, unsuitable recommendations, excessive trading, and signs of fraud. We then file Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration claims, negotiate settlements, or pursue civil litigation when appropriate.
Common types of investment fraud
Investment fraud appears in many forms. The table below lists the most common categories we see, along with the harm investors typically suffer.
| Type of fraud | What it looks like | Typical investor harm |
|---|---|---|
| Unauthorized trading | Broker executes trades without your consent | Unexpected losses and changed risk profile |
| Non-traded REIT fraud | Illiquid real estate products sold as safe income | Principal loss, frozen redemptions, cut distributions |
| Private placement fraud | Regulation D offerings with limited disclosure | Total loss when issuer fails or misappropriates funds |
| Ponzi scheme | Returns paid from new investor money, not profits | Near-total loss when new money dries up |
How FINRA arbitration works
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, operates the largest securities dispute resolution forum in the United States. Most brokerage customer agreements require investors to bring claims through FINRA arbitration rather than court.
The process is generally faster and less expensive than litigation. A panel of arbitrators hears evidence, reviews documents, and issues an award. The table below summarizes the typical stages.
| Stage | Purpose | Approximate timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Statement of Claim | File the formal complaint and damages request | Month 1 |
| Discovery | Exchange documents, identify witnesses, and take depositions | Months 2–6 |
| Hearing | Arbitrators hear testimony and review evidence | Months 6–12 |
| Award | Panel issues a binding decision on liability and damages | Within 30 days after hearing |
When to contact an investment fraud attorney
Time matters. FINRA and state statutes of limitations can bar claims that are not filed promptly. You should contact us as soon as you notice unexplained losses, trades you did not authorize, or a product that was misrepresented.
Early involvement lets us preserve evidence, identify all responsible parties, and avoid procedural deadlines. We offer a free case review, and we can often tell you quickly whether a claim is worth pursuing.
What to bring to your case review
The more information you provide, the faster we can assess your claim. Useful documents include account statements, trade confirmations, email or text correspondence, marketing brochures, and any notes from meetings with your advisor.
You do not need to organize everything before calling. We help clients gather records and request missing documents directly from the brokerage firm.
State securities regulators you may contact
In addition to FINRA arbitration, investors can report misconduct to state securities regulators. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, also accepts tips and complaints. These agencies do not recover money for individual investors, but their investigations can support a private claim.
| Regulator | Role | How to report |
|---|---|---|
| FINRA | Self-regulator for brokerage firms and brokers | FINRA.org complaint center |
| SEC | Federal regulator of securities markets | SEC.gov tips and complaints |
| State securities regulators | Licensing and enforcement in each state | Nasaa.org member directory |
Related practice areas
Our work covers the full range of securities misconduct and investment fraud. If your situation involves one of the topics below, we can help.
- Unauthorized trading lawyer
- Ponzi scheme lawyer
- REIT fraud lawyer
- Private placement fraud lawyer
- Structured product fraud lawyer
Frequently asked questions
Can I sue my stockbroker for losing money?
Not every market loss supports a claim. You need evidence that the broker violated a rule or breached a duty. Common grounds include unauthorized trading, unsuitable recommendations, misrepresentation, and failure to supervise.
What is FINRA arbitration?
FINRA arbitration is a private dispute forum for claims against brokerage firms. Most customer agreements require arbitration. A neutral panel reviews evidence and issues a binding award.
How much does it cost to hire an investment fraud attorney?
We work on a contingency basis. You pay no fee unless we recover money for you. The initial case review is free and confidential.
How long do I have to bring a claim?
Time limits depend on the claim type, the forum, and the state. Some deadlines are as short as one year from the event. Contact us promptly so we can protect your rights.
What can I recover if my claim succeeds?
Recoverable damages can include out-of-pocket losses, interest, lost opportunity, and in some cases attorneys’ fees and costs. Every case is different.
Do I need a local attorney in my state?
No. We represent investors nationwide. We have offices in Florida, New York, Arizona, Texas, and North Carolina. We work with clients across the country by phone, video, and secure document sharing.
How securities cases differ from other lawsuits
Securities cases are not general litigation. They involve specialized rules, industry customs, and records that most law firms do not work with daily. Account statements, trade confirmations, suitability questionnaires, and supervisory emails all carry meaning that a securities attorney can interpret.
We also understand the economic models used to calculate damages. We know how to compare what an account would have been worth but for the misconduct. That analysis is central to proving the extent of your losses.
What damages may be recoverable
| Damage type | Description |
|---|---|
| Out-of-pocket loss | The actual money lost because of the misconduct |
| Lost opportunity | Returns you would have earned in a suitable alternative |
| Interest | Pre- and post-judgment interest allowed by the forum |
| Costs and fees | Arbitration fees, expert fees, and attorneys’ fees where permitted |
How to get started with our firm
Starting a case review is simple. Call us or submit a request through our website. We will schedule a confidential call at a time that works for you. During that call, we ask about your investments, your advisor, and the losses you have suffered.
If we believe we can help, we will send you a short records request. We will also explain the contingency fee agreement and the likely timeline. You will know what to expect before we move forward.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.