Financial law encompasses a wide variety of topics, including consumer fraud, violations of consumer protection laws and stock fraud. Banks and other financial institutions are governed by federal and state laws and regulations to ensure consumers and investors are protected from violations of financial law. Although there are many laws designed to protect consumers and investors, including the Consumer Credit Protection Act and ERISA, consumers may still find themselves unknowingly affected by investment scams, financial fraud, non-disclosure of financial solvency, or illegal lending practices.
Consumer Banking & Lending Violations & Deceptive Practices
 Issues with financial institutions—including banks, credit card issuers and mortgage lenders—occur when consumers are not properly informed about the fees and other risks associated with their accounts or when the financial institution fails to uphold its end of a contract. Examples of consumer banking or lending violations can include issues with HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit) contracts, mortgage fraud, abusive overdraft policies, and excessive fees for various banking transactions.
In addition, consumer banking violations can occur when a particular class or group of individuals is excluded from certain banking services or not made aware that such services are available.
Consumer Fraud
 Consumer fraud occurs when money is illegally taken from consumers. This can occur through a variety of scams, hoaxes, schemes or abuse. In some cases, such as identity theft, the victim may not know her money has been taken until well after the fact. Examples of consumer fraud include mortgage lending scams, financial elder abuse, business opportunities fraud, Internet or email fraud and unfair business practices.
With the increase in the use of technology comes an increase in scams perpetrated online. Such scams include lottery/sweepstakes scams (in which the victim sends in money to claim a false prize), false Internet purchases, loan scams (in which the victim is required to send money for loan fees), e-mail scans (in which the victim is prompted to click a link to his banking institution and input his password, giving the fraudsters access to his banking information) or e-mail scams (in which the victim is asked to wire someone money so they can get back into the US).
Securities
Even the most seasoned investor can fall prey to unethical stockbrokers or financial advisers. A group of shareholders can also find themselves the victims of securities fraud by company officers and directors who misrepresent a company's financial position to shareholders. Issues such as securities and stock fraud, stockbroker fraud or problems with company issued stock options and Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) violations can cause serious financial hardship for investors and plan participants.
In some cases, violations of securities laws are dealt with in the courtroom. However, in other cases, victims must go through FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) arbitration.
Financial Lawyers
If you are an individual or group with financial problems, you will need the help of qualified financial lawyers. It is important that you find an experienced financial awyer to handle your case. LawyersandSettlements makes it easy for you to find the right financial attorney. We work with attorneys throughout the US and Canada who practice in this specialized area.
As well, LawyersandSettlements.com provides comprehensive financial news coverage that aims to keep the public informed. We provide an online legal news source that includes interviews with environmental attorneys.
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FINANCIAL ARTICLES AND INTERVIEWS
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Trustee Notes Company May Recover Funds after MF Global Stock Fraud
New York, NY: Months after the news broke over the MF Global stock fraud case, the trustee overseeing the liquidation of the company's holdings brokerage is exploring ways to recover additional customer assets, Dow Jones reported...
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Attorney: MF Global Clients Unlikely to Recover Money without Arbitration
Kansas City, MO: Despite the efforts of the FBI, the Department of Justice attorneys and investigators from the SEC, CFTC and NFA, the $1.2 billion of customers' funds missing from MF Global securities have not been found. Recent reports indicate the funds have likely gone abroad, possibly indicating MF Global securities law violations. According to Diane Nygaard, a securities and commodities attorney at Kenner Schmitt Nygaard, LLC, customers of the MF Global securities firm have only three avenues to try to recover the 28 percent of their money that they have not yet received...
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Is Securities Fraud behind Bond Default in Washington State?
Wenatchee, WA: There is an expectation that disgruntled bondholders tied to an arena development in Washington state will launch a lawsuit alleging securities fraud, amidst other allegations. The Town Toyota Center, located in Wenatchee, went into default December 1 and is projected to lose $400,000 in 2012. Meanwhile, investors holding $42 million in bonds are reportedly not happy...
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