Wall Street Whistleblower Attorney
Experienced SEC Whistleblower Attorneys for Exposing Securities Fraud to the Federal Government
If you work on Wall Street (or if you used to work on Wall Street), you may be eligible to come forward under the SEC whistleblower program. Wall Street whistleblowers can expose numerous forms of fraud, and SEC whistleblower awards can be substantial. Hiring an experienced lawyer to help you come forward costs nothing out of pocket.
Federal securities laws establish strict (and substantial) compliance obligations for issuers, brokerage and advisory firms, exchanges, and other parties on Wall Street. Non-compliance with these obligations can expose all types of parties to steep penalties, and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) aggressively pursues enforcement against both entities and individuals.
But, the SEC also relies heavily on Wall Street whistleblowers to come forward.
Our SEC whistleblower lawyers assist corporate insiders, brokers, advisors, and other individuals with exposing all forms of securities fraud to the government. We provide experienced legal representation for whistleblower claims filed with the SEC, and we work with the SEC on behalf of our clients to pursue civil and criminal penalties as warranted.
What Potential Whistleblowers Should Know About Exposing Wall Street Fraud
The SEC strictly protects whistleblowers’ identities, and it is one of the few federal agencies that accepts anonymous whistleblower complaints while still issuing rewards in cases involving successful enforcement actions. If you are considering exposing fraud to the SEC, here are some key facts to know:
Wall Street Fraud Can Take Many Different Forms
The first fact to know is that Wall Street fraud can take many different forms. Within our SEC whistleblower practice, we help individuals expose all types of fraud impacting investors and other U.S. taxpayers. This includes (but is by no means limited to):
Corporate Financial Fraud
Corporate insiders and other individuals can report financial fraud under the SEC’s whistleblower reward program. Financial fraud is among the most common types of corporate securities violations, and it can warrant either SEC enforcement action and criminal prosecution depending on the specific circumstances involved.
Insider Trading
Insider trading can also warrant civil or criminal enforcement depending on the circumstances involved. The SEC Office of the Whistleblower is committed to protecting investors against all forms of corporate fraud, and it routinely works with whistleblowers to investigate allegations of insider trading and other similar types of fraudulent schemes.
Investor Fraud
We represent clients in whistleblower cases involving all types of investor fraud perpetrated by brokers, advisors, and other parties on Wall Street. If you have (or believe you may have) information about investment fraud, our experienced whistleblower attorneys can evaluate the information you have in your possession and determine whether it is sufficient to support a successful SEC enforcement action.
Pyramid and Ponzi Schemes
We also represent SEC whistleblower clients in cases involving pyramid schemes, Ponzi schemes, and other investment schemes that are criminal in nature. If you have information about an investment scheme, we can help you come forward under the SEC’s whistleblower program, and we can help you take the necessary steps to maximize your monetary award eligibility.
Fraud in Emerging Markets
We handle whistleblower cases involving fraud in emerging markets as well. If you have questions about coming forward with information about fraud related to any of the following, we encourage you to contact us for a free and confidential consultation:
- Cryptocurrencies (including initial coin offerings (ICOs))
- Non-fungible tokens (NFTs)
- Prediction markets
- Tokenized assets
- Utility tokens
During your free and confidential consultation, we will walk you through everything you need to know about coming forward. We will explain the whistleblower rights afforded to Wall Street whistleblowers under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act), and we will explain the requirements for establishing whistleblower reward eligibility with the SEC.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Maintains an Active Whistleblower Program
In almost all cases, exposing Wall Street fraud involves coming forward under the SEC’s whistleblower program. The SEC has issued more than $2 billion in whistleblower awards since establishing the program in 2011, and whistleblower tips filed with the SEC have resulted in approximately $5 billion in monetary sanctions.
Our law firm represents whistleblowers in SEC cases, and our lawyers are intimately familiar with the complex securities laws that apply. If you are eligible to report fraud to the SEC and seek a monetary reward, our New York whistleblower lawyers can provide insightful guidance and effective representation every step of the way.
Eligibility Criteria and Timing Requirements Apply
Before contacting the SEC, it is critical to assess your eligibility to serve as a Wall Street whistleblower. Strict eligibility criteria apply, and there are important timing considerations as well. The basic requirements for serving as an SEC whistleblower include:
- Coming forward with information gained through independent knowledge or analysis
- Coming forward with information that is not currently known to the SEC
- Being the first to come forward with the information in your possession (though two whistleblowers can share an award in some cases)
While the SEC protects whistleblowers’ identities, whistleblowers can submit tips anonymously through an attorney. If you have questions or concerns about disclosing your identity to the SEC, our attorneys can explain everything you need to know.
Securities Whistleblower Rewards Are Based On the Monetary Sanctions Recovered
Under the SEC’s whistleblower program, whistleblower rewards are based on the monetary sanctions recovered. Generally, whistleblowers are entitled to between 10% and 30% of the sanctions imposed. Our SEC whistleblower lawyers can help you take the necessary steps to maximize your award eligibility; and, if you become eligible to receive an award, we can work with the SEC to determine an appropriate award amount on your behalf.
Whistleblower rewards in securities fraud cases can be substantial. The largest ever SEC whistleblower award was nearly $279 million, and the SEC has issued numerous multi-million-dollar whistleblower awards in recent years.
Why to Choose Our SEC Whistleblower Law Firm
At Oberheiden P.C., we have extensive experience in federal securities fraud matters. With a team that includes former securities fraud prosecutors at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), we are intimately familiar with the federal government’s enforcement priorities and tactics in these cases. From insider trading to market manipulation, we handle cases involving all forms of securities fraud and financial misconduct, and we rely on our experience to work effectively and efficiently with federal authorities on behalf of our whistleblower clients.
FAQs: How Do You Blow the Whistle on Wall Street Fraud?
Is securities fraud covered under the False Claims Act?
Securities fraud generally falls outside of the False Claims Act. Instead, securities fraud whistleblowers will come forward under the Dodd-Frank Act in most cases. While both the SEC and the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) accept whistleblower complaints under the Dodd-Frank Act, securities-related cases must generally be filed with the SEC.
Are rewards available in successful whistleblower cases filed with the SEC?
Generally speaking, yes. The SEC issues whistleblower rewards in appropriate cases, and it has issued many of the largest whistleblower rewards in U.S. history. If you have questions about seeking a whistleblower reward from the SEC, we strongly encourage you to contact us for a free and confidential consultation.
Should I file a whistleblower complaint with the SEC or the New York Attorney General?
Wall Street whistleblowers may be able to come forward under the New York False Claims Act in some cases. Like other state whistleblower laws, the New York False Claims Act provides protections to individuals who make qualifying disclosures through the appropriate means. Our NY whistleblower attorneys handle select state cases as well; and, if it makes sense for you to file a complaint with the New York Office of the Attorney General, we can help you make informed decisions about your next steps.
Do I need a lawyer to file a whistleblower complaint with the SEC?
Technically, no. Anyone can file a Tip, Complaint, or Referral Form (Form TCR) with the SEC on their own. However, there are several reasons to consider working with an experienced whistleblower attorney throughout the process. Among them, prospective whistleblowers must ensure that they submit sufficient “original” information to establish their eligibility, and whistleblowers must be prepared to work alongside the SEC as it investigates their allegations.
What if I participated in the fraud?
If you are concerned about implicating yourself in a whistleblower complaint filed with the SEC, our attorneys can assist you with coming forward appropriately. Even in this scenario, you can still qualify for both protection and compensation under the SEC’s whistleblower program.
Speak with a Senior Wall Street Whistleblower Lawyer in Strict Confidence
If you would like more information about blowing the whistle on securities fraud with the SEC, we strongly encourage you to get in touch. For a free and confidential review of your Wall Street whistleblower case, contact us today. Call 866-320-3959 or contact us online to speak with a senior Wall Street whistleblower attorney in strict confidence as soon as possible.