{"id":352688,"date":"2017-05-16T14:45:05","date_gmt":"2017-05-16T19:45:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/consumer\/securities-law\/commercial-honor-and-finra-rule-2010.html"},"modified":"2024-05-17T15:32:36","modified_gmt":"2024-05-17T20:32:36","slug":"commercial-honor-and-finra-rule-2010","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/securities-law\/commercial-honor-and-finra-rule-2010.html","title":{"rendered":"Commercial Honor and FINRA Rule 2010"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\">\n        <h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">Commercial Honor and FINRA Rule 2010<\/h1>\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/oni-harton-j-d\/\">Oni Harton, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/melissa-bender-esq\/\">Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n                | Last updated\n        <time>\n                            May 17, 2024\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n<p>We often trust professional brokers and firms to handle our securities transactions. We want to invest our money with a wise and honest&nbsp;broker-dealer. We hope brokers, financial advisors, and investment advisers handle our portfolios using the highest standard of professionalism.<\/p>\r\n<p>Is there any oversight to ensure ethical conduct for the securities businesses handing customer funds and customer accounts? Read on to learn more about standards of commercial honor and principles of trade. FINRA Rule 2010 governs such business activities.<\/p>\r\n<h2>FINRA: An Overview<\/h2>\r\n<p>FINRA, the&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.finra.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Financial Industry Regulatory Authority<\/a>, is a non-governmental organization governing individual brokers and brokerage firms. In 2023, FINRA oversaw over 3,000 securities firms, and FINRA-registered representatives totaled more than 600,000 in 2022. Members include:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Broker-dealers<\/li>\r\n<li>Investment advisor representatives<\/li>\r\n<li>Dual-registered individuals<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>FINRA differs from the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/securities-law\/the-securities-and-exchange-commission-overview.html\">Securities and Exchange Commission<\/a>&nbsp;(SEC) in a few ways. The SEC is a government agency that seeks to protect individual investors and covers a broader scope than FINRA. The SEC covers all financial business activity in the U.S.<\/p>\r\n<p>FINRA also seeks to protect individual investors. FINRA is a membership-based, private&nbsp;self-regulatory&nbsp;organization governing stock brokers and brokerage firms. FINRA does so by creating its own rules and enforcing&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/securities-law.html\">federal securities laws<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p>FINRA has developed rules governing members of the securities industry. FINRA is authorized to discipline FINRA members who violate these rules with monetary fines and sanctions. Members must abide by its rules, such as Rule 2010.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Commercial Honor and Rule 2010<\/h2>\r\n<p>FINRA&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.finra.org\/rules-guidance\/rulebooks\/finra-rules\/2010\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Conduct Rule 2010<\/a>&nbsp;is one of the shortest FINRA rules. However, it&#8217;s one of&nbsp;the most powerful rules&nbsp;with the most far-reaching effects. It provides:<\/p>\r\n<p>&quot;<i>A member, in the conduct of its business, shall observe high standards of commercial honor and just and equitable principles of trade<\/i>.&quot;<\/p>\r\n<p>Rule 2010 requires that all member firms and associated persons conducting business, observe the&nbsp;highest standards of commercial honor and just and equitable principles of trade.&nbsp;This rule is somewhat of a&nbsp;catch-all&nbsp;rule. Under this rule, FINRA can punish unethical behavior and impose monetary sanctions to address&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/securities-law\/securities-law-an-overview.html\">violations of federal securities laws<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Key Principles of FINRA Rule 2010<\/h2>\r\n<p>The scope of FINRA Rule 2010 is broad. The breadth of this rule can create challenges in interpreting the rule. However, fundamental principles regulate professional behavior among registered firms and individuals. They include the following:<\/p>\r\n<h3>High Standards of Commercial Honor<\/h3>\r\n<p>Member firms and broker-dealers must uphold respectable, ethical business practices. Business practices must prioritize integrity and fairness in the financial sector.<\/p>\r\n<h3>Just and Equitable Principles of Trade<\/h3>\r\n<p>All sales of securities must embody impartiality and objectivity. Transactions and solicitation must promote good faith market participation. This rule prohibits conflicts of interest and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/securities-law\/what-to-do-if-you-suspect-unauthorized-trading.html\">unauthorized trading<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<h3>Treating Customers in an Ethical Manner<\/h3>\r\n<p>Interactions with clients and customers must reflect moral business principles. Members must put the client&#8217;s interests first and treat them fairly.<\/p>\r\n<h3>Integrity of Financial Markets<\/h3>\r\n<p>FINRA Rule 2010 prohibits unethical conduct. Such conduct undermines investor confidence and compromises market systems. The rule prohibits gaining an unfair advantage over competitors through manipulative and deceptive practices.<\/p>\r\n<h3>Duty to Public Interest<\/h3>\r\n<p>The securities industry serves the public. It promotes economic security in equity securities sales through high professional standards.<\/p>\r\n<h2>What Are FINRA Rule 2010 Violations?<\/h2>\r\n<p>Federal law authorizes FINRA to discipline member firms and individuals who violate securities laws and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.finra.org\/rules-guidance\/rulebooks\/finra-rules\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">FINRA rules<\/a>. Section 15A of the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/securities-law\/securities-and-exchange-act-of-1934.html#:~:text=The%20Securities%20Exchange%20Act%20of%201934%20gives%20the%20SEC%20broad,Brokerage%20firms\">Securities Exchange Act of 1934<\/a>&nbsp;authorizes FINRA to enforce disciplinary action for violations.<\/p>\r\n<p>Acts found to violate FINRA Rule 2010 include the following:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Downloading non-public customer information and sending it to a competing firm<\/li>\r\n<li>Disclosing&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/caselaw.findlaw.com\/us-2nd-circuit\/1498598.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">confidential client information<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/embezzlement.html\">Misappropriating funds<\/a>&nbsp;from a client<\/li>\r\n<li>An investment company failing to implement adequate supervisory protocols<\/li>\r\n<li>Communicating false and misleading information in account statements<\/li>\r\n<li>Passing bad checks<\/li>\r\n<li>Forging client signatures for customer orders<\/li>\r\n<li>Executing trades without required confirmations<\/li>\r\n<li>Altering client documents or affixing client signatures<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>FINRA Rule 2010 violations do not come with a fixed penalty. FINRA considers the severity of the behavior and harm when determining sanctions.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Rule 2010 Investigation Process<\/h2>\r\n<p>FINRA Rule 2010 violations often&nbsp;begin with a report of wrongdoing by a broker or firm. The report can come from a variety of sources. These sources can include the following:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Automated surveillance reports<\/li>\r\n<li>Examination findings<\/li>\r\n<li>Filings made directly with FINRA<\/li>\r\n<li>Customer complaints<\/li>\r\n<li>Anonymous tips<\/li>\r\n<li>Referrals from other organizations<\/li>\r\n<li>Press reports<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>Once it receives a report, FINRA staff launches a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.finra.org\/rules-guidance\/enforcement\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">thorough investigation of all allegations<\/a>. This process is an objective fact-finding mission. The investigation is confidential. FINRA staff requests documents and takes sworn testimony.<\/p>\r\n<p>This information becomes public once FINRA finds a violation of Rule 2010 and issues a sanction. Some examples of FINRA Rule 2010 violations and sanctions include:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>In 2021,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.finra.org\/media-center\/digital-press-kit#:~:text=FINRA%20announced%20today%20that%20it,to%20thousands%20of%20harmed%20customers.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">FINRA ordered<\/a>&nbsp;Robinhood Financial LLC to pay approximately $70 million for systematic supervisory failures and significant harm its customers suffered<\/li>\r\n<li>In December 2014,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.finra.org\/media-center\/news-releases\/2014\/finra-fines-wells-fargo-advisorswells-fargo-advisors-financial-network\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">FINRA ordered two brokers<\/a>&nbsp;associated with Wells Fargo Advisors to pay a joint $1.5 million fine for failing to comply with anti-money laundering compliance programs<\/li>\r\n<li>Also&nbsp;in December 2014,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/idUSL1N0UD0NA\/#:~:text=Dec%2029%20(Reuters)%20%2D%20Pershing,funded%20watchdog%20said%20on%20Monday.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">FINRA fined Pershing LLC $3 million<\/a>&nbsp;for violating the Customer Protection Rule and related supervisory failures<\/li>\r\n<li>In January 2012,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.finra.org\/media-center\/news-releases\/2012\/finra-fines-merrill-lynch-1-million-failure-arbitrate-disputes#:~:text=FINRA%20found%20that%20Merrill%20Lynch,it%20sought%20to%20collect%20unpaid\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">FINRA fined Merrill Lynch $1 million<\/a>&nbsp;for circumventing mandatory arbitration requirements while pursuing the collection of employee promissory notes<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>Firms and individuals under investigation are entitled to be represented by counsel throughout this process.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Speak With a Lawyer About FINRA Issues<\/h2>\r\n<p>If you believe your broker violated FINRA Conduct Rules, speaking with a lawyer can offer guidance. A good first step is to gather as much information as possible so you are prepared to discuss your situation.<\/p>\r\n<p>If you are a broker and have questions about FINRA compliance, contacting a lawyer can also help. An experienced securities law attorney can explain your legal options. Get in touch with a<a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/securities-law\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&nbsp;securities law attorney<\/a>&nbsp;today.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-up\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_604_3418)\">\n                        <path id=\"Vector\"\n                              d=\"M6 21H3C2.46957 21 1.96086 20.7893 1.58579 20.4142C1.21071 20.0391 1 19.5304 1 19V12C1 11.4696 1.21071 10.9609 1.58579 10.5858C1.96086 10.2107 2.46957 10 3 10H6M13 8V4C13 3.20435 12.6839 2.44129 12.1213 1.87868C11.5587 1.31607 10.7956 1 10 1L6 10V21H17.28C17.7623 21.0055 18.2304 20.8364 18.5979 20.524C18.9654 20.2116 19.2077 19.7769 19.28 19.3L20.66 10.3C20.7035 10.0134 20.6842 9.72068 20.6033 9.44225C20.5225 9.16382 20.3821 8.90629 20.1919 8.68751C20.0016 8.46873 19.7661 8.29393 19.5016 8.17522C19.2371 8.0565 18.9499 7.99672 18.66 8H13Z\"\n                              stroke=\"#666666\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\n                              stroke-linejoin=\"round\"><\/path>\n                    <\/g>\n                    <defs>\n                        <clipPath id=\"clip0_604_3418\">\n                            <rect width=\"22\" height=\"22\" fill=\"white\"><\/rect>\n                        <\/clipPath>\n                    <\/defs>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/i>\n        <\/button>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"No\"\n                value=\"no\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">No<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-down\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_604_3423)\">\n                        <path id=\"Vector\"\n                              d=\"M16 0.999995H18.67C19.236 0.989986 19.7859 1.18813 20.2154 1.55681C20.645 1.9255 20.9242 2.43905 21 3V10C20.9242 10.5609 20.645 11.0745 20.2154 11.4432C19.7859 11.8119 19.236 12.01 18.67 12H16M9.00003 14V18C9.00003 18.7956 9.3161 19.5587 9.87871 20.1213C10.4413 20.6839 11.2044 21 12 21L16 12V0.999995H4.72003C4.2377 0.994543 3.76965 1.16359 3.40212 1.47599C3.0346 1.78839 2.79235 2.22309 2.72003 2.7L1.34003 11.7C1.29652 11.9866 1.31586 12.2793 1.39669 12.5577C1.47753 12.8362 1.61793 13.0937 1.80817 13.3125C1.99842 13.5313 2.23395 13.7061 2.49846 13.8248C2.76297 13.9435 3.05012 14.0033 3.34003 14H9.00003Z\"\n                              stroke=\"#666666\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/>\n                    <\/g>\n                    <defs>\n                        <clipPath id=\"clip0_604_3423\">\n                            <rect width=\"22\" height=\"22\" fill=\"white\"\/>\n                        <\/clipPath>\n                    <\/defs>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/i>\n        <\/button>\n    <\/div>\n    <span class=\"was-this-helpful__taken-action fl-text-sm-bold\"><\/span>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-container\">\n        <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n            <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n        <\/div>\n        <form class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form\">\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback was-this-helpful__feedback--positive\">\n                <fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--understandable\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Easy to understand\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--understandable\"\n                        >Easy to understand<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--solved-problem\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Solved my problem\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--solved-problem\"\n                        >Solved my problem<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"positive-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback was-this-helpful__feedback--negative\">\n                <fieldset>\n                    <legend class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this not helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n                        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Missing Information\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                        >Missing the information I need<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Too complicated\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                        >Too complicated \/ too many steps<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Out of date\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                        >Out of date<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__form-buttons-container\">\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--positive at-feedback-submit fl-button secondary\"\n                    type=\"submit\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Submit<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--cancel fl-button primary disabled\"\n                    type=\"reset\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Cancel<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-times-circle medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/form>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message\" role=\"status\">\n        <i class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-icon fa fa-check\"><\/i>\n        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-text\" aria-live=\"polite\"><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-section-sidebar\">\n        <div class=\"fl-editors-summary\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content\">\n                    <h2>Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?<\/h2>\n                <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\">\n            \n        <\/div>\n        <ul class=\"fl-list-style-none\">\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    Consumer legal issues typically need an attorney&#8217;s support\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    You can hire an attorney to enforce your rights for safe products, fair transactions, and legal credit, banking and related financial matters\n\n                <\/li>\n                    <\/ul>\n                    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\">\n                <p>Legal cases for identity theft, scams, or the Equal Credit Opportunity Act can be complicated and slow. An attorney can offer tailored advice and help prevent common mistakes.<\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-link fl-flex\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-link\">\n                <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                <p class=\"find-attorney\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/consumer-protection\/#USER_GEO\/?fli=esum:0803\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Find a local attorney<\/a><\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"email-subscription fl-mb30\">\n    <div class=\"email-subscription-header\">\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-header-content\">\n            <h3 class=\"fl-callout-sm fl-no-margin\">Stay Up-to-Date With How the Law Affects Your Life<\/h3>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-header-image fl-flex fl-items-end\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\"\n                src=\"https://www.findlaw.com/static/c/images\/images\/w_1200,c_limit,dpr_auto\/f_auto,q_auto:eco\/v1745902396\/ability-law\/wp-prod\/general-components-subscribe-module-Image-subscribeModule_1\/general-components-subscribe-module-Image-subscribeModule_1.png?_i=AA\"\n                alt=\"\"\n                loading=\"lazy\"\n            \/>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"email-subscription-content fl-flex fl-flex-wrap\">\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-content-text fl-mb25\">\n            <h4 class=\"fl-no-margin\">Enter your email address to subscribe<\/h4>\n        <\/div>\n\n        <form class=\"email-subscription-content-form\">\n            <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"distributionList\" value=\"latl\" \/>\n            <label for=\"email-subscription-content-form-group-input\" class=\"fl-text-sm-bold\">Email (Required)<\/label>\n            <div class=\"email-subscription-content-form-group\">\n                <input id=\"email-subscription-content-form-group-input\" name=\"email\" autocomplete=\"email\"\/>\n                <button type=\"submit\" aria-label=\"Submit\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n            <\/div>\n            <p class=\"email-subscription-content-form-success subscribe-success-message fl-text-sm-bold\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"status\">Thank you for subscribing!<\/p>\n            <p class=\"email-subscription-content-form-error subscribe-error-message fl-text-sm-bold\" role=\"alert\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/p>\n\n            <div id=\"email-subscription-content-form-recaptcha\" class=\"email-subscription-content-form-recaptcha subscribe-recaptcha\"\n                data-sitekey=\"0x4AAAAAAABGBEkK9kEeKxO-\"><\/div>\n        <\/form>\n\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-content-footer fl-text-sm\">\n            <p><a href=\"https:\/\/newsletters.findlaw.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Learn more about FindLaw\u2019s newsletters<\/a>, including our terms of use and privacy policy.<\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"general-list\">\n    <h3>Helpful Links<\/h3>\n    <ul class=\"fl-list fl-no-margin\">\n                                    <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/lemon-law.html\">\n                        Lemon Law\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/online-scams.html\">\n                        Online Scams\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/travel-rules-and-rights.html\">\n                        Rights to Travel\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                        <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"popularDirectory\">\n        <div class=\"general-popular-directory \">\n            <div class=\"general-popular-directory-title\">\n                <h3>Attorney Directory<\/h3>\n            <\/div>\n            <ul>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/securities-law\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Securities Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/mergers-acquisitions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mergers and Acquisitions Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/antitrust-trade-regulation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Antitrust Law Attorneys<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/banking-finance-law\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Banking and Finance Law Attorneys<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/business-commercial-law\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Business and Commercial Law Attorneys<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/taxation-law\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tax Law Attorneys<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/consumer-protection\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Consumer Protection Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What happens when our brokers and financial advisers act less than ethically? Read FindLaw&#8217;s article to learn about commercial honor,  FINRA Rule 2010, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and much more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41135,"featured_media":0,"parent":352687,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"app\/Http\/Controllers\/Templates\/ArticleWithBreadcrumbsController.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_stopmodifiedupdate":true,"_modified_date":"","_autodraft_ids":[],"_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"_sb_is_suggestion_mode":false,"_sb_show_suggestion_boards":false,"_sb_show_comment_boards":false,"_sb_suggestion_history":"","_sb_update_block_changes":"","_is_real_time_mode":false,"_realtime_collaborators":"","footnotes":"","cf_checklist_status":[]},"categories":[2732],"tags":[],"state_laws_tags":[],"flmsa":[],"class_list":["post-352688","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-consumer"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/352688","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41135"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=352688"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/352688\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/352687"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=352688"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=352688"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=352688"},{"taxonomy":"state_laws_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/state_laws_tags?post=352688"},{"taxonomy":"flmsa","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/flmsa?post=352688"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}