When investors lose money on securities due to fraud, they can pursue legal action through several avenues, including class action lawsuits. Legal action can be taken against the parties directly responsible for the wrongdoing, as well as potentially against third parties, such as banks, accountants, or lawyers who contributed to the fraud.

If you have lost money to suspected securities fraud in Austin, the award-winning attorneys at Silver Law Group can analyze the details of your claim to determine the appropriate legal strategy. Our team of lawyers, led by passionate investor advocate Scott Silver, represents clients nationwide who have been victims of various types of securities fraud and are equipped to investigate and file claims on a contingency fee basis.

What Are the Key Signs and Instances of Securities Fraud?

The attorneys at Silver Law Group represent injured investors in Austin who have sustained losses from a wide range of fraudulent securities schemes. These include:

  • Misrepresentations or omissions: This occurs when companies or individuals intentionally provide false or misleading information to investors, or fail to disclose material facts necessary for an informed decision.
  • False financial reporting: A company’s management may intentionally manipulate financial data, such as overstating revenue or understating expenses, to make the company look more profitable than it is.
  • Deceptive offering documents: Investors can sue if a company’s prospectus or other offering documents contain false statements or omit important information about the investment.
  • Pump-and-dump schemes: Fraudsters artificially inflate a stock’s price, often a low-priced “penny stock,” through false or misleading statements to the public. They then sell their shares at the peak, causing the price to collapse and leaving other investors with heavy losses.
  • Ponzi schemes: New investor funds are used to pay existing investors, giving the false impression of a successful, profitable enterprise.
  • Pyramid schemes: Participants are primarily compensated for recruiting new members, not for selling a legitimate product or service.

Investors should watch for several red flags that can indicate a fraudulent securities scheme rather than a legitimate investment. Be cautious of unexpected solicitations via email, social media, or phone calls. Fraudsters often create a false sense of urgency, pressuring you to invest immediately so you won’t have time to do research.

A legitimate investment professional should be able to clearly explain how an investment works. If a promoter uses overly complex or vague language to explain the strategy, it may be designed to confuse you. Legitimate securities require extensive documentation, such as a prospectus. A lack of proper paperwork or a refusal to provide it is a significant red flag.

You should also verify if the seller and the securities are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or your state’s securities regulator. In some scams, fraudsters may show fabricated returns on a fake online platform that do not match official statements. Unusual and dramatic stock price fluctuations without any credible news or public announcements could signal market manipulation.

Third Party Liability and Securities Class Action Lawsuits

An attorney at Silver Law Group can determine what legal action may be possible against direct perpetrators, as well as third parties involved in securities fraud in Austin. Holding third parties accountable in securities class action lawsuits is complex, but it can be crucial for investors seeking to recover losses.

Because primary wrongdoers often spend or hide their illicit gains, third parties like banks, law firms, and accountants may be the only defendants with significant assets. Pursuing them can increase the chances of a successful financial recovery for defrauded investors.

Class actions allow many investors with a range of individual losses to collectively pursue a claim that would be too expensive to litigate on their own. The costs are shared among the class members, and individual investors generally have a minimal role in the litigation after providing information about their losses.

By aggregating the claims of many investors, a class action creates greater financial exposure for the defendant. This increased pressure can compel the defendant to settle for a more significant amount than they would have in an individual lawsuit.

Austin, TX Investors Can Schedule Your Consultation with Our Securities Fraud Lawyers

Be aware that time limits apply to legal claims, so it is best to consult with one of our Austin securities fraud attorneys as soon as possible to ensure that you preserve your right to file litigation. Our legal team can evaluate the situation and determine the best course of action, such as joining a class action lawsuit with other injured investors or filing individual securities litigation.

We operate on a contingency fee basis, so you won’t have to pay us anything unless we win your case. Contact Silver Law Group today to receive your free, one-on-one legal consultation with a legal professional who has a strong record of fighting for defrauded investors against those who misled them.