Investor Complaints

The Securities Division of the Arizona Corporation Commission is responsible for regulating the securities and investment advice industries in Arizona. One of our main functions is to oversee the companies and individuals who participate in the offer and sales of investments and investment advice to the public. If you are a victim of investment fraud, please submit your information in a complaint to the Securities Division.

What the Securities Division Can Do For Investors

Assign your complaint to an employee of the Securities Division for evaluation.
Make inquiries and/or conduct an investigation to determine if a violation of the state of Arizona's securities or investment management laws has occurred.
Bring a regulatory action on behalf of the state of Arizona, which may include penalties and restitution.
Refer your complaint to other regulatory and law enforcement agencies.

What the Securities Division Cannot Do for Investors

Give you specific legal advice
Refer you to a particular attorney or investment firm.
Recover money directly for you. You may wish to employ a private attorney to assist you in the recovery of your investment funds.

What Information Should I Include in My Complaint?

The more information you provide, the more likely the Securities Division will be able to promptly decide how to proceed. The following information is critical to investigate the subject of your complaint:
Names, addresses, telephone numbers, and other identifying information for any person or company mentioned in your complaint.
Details of any transaction or activity you think violates the Arizona Securities or Investment Management Acts. Present the events in the order in which they happened, using dates whenever possible.
Copies of documents listed above, including email correspondence, relating to the transaction that is the subject of your complaint.
Signed declaration as to the truth and accuracy of your complaint.

How to File an Investor Complaint

You can file a complaint with the Securities Division by U.S. mail, email, or facsimile. Please fill out the Investor Complaint Form online and submit it, along with supporting documentation related to the investment, to the Securities Division. If you prefer to file your Securities Complaint Form with the Securities Division by U.S. mail or email, click here to download a PDF version. Please contact the Securities Division at (602) 542-0662 with any questions.

By Mail. Send the completed form, together with copies of supporting documents relating to your investment, to:

Complaints-Securities Division

Arizona Corporation Commission

1300 W. Washington St., 3rd Fl.

Phoenix, AZ 85007

By Email. You may email your completed form and supporting documents to the Securities Division.

By Facsimile. You may fax your completed complaint form and supporting documents to the Securities Division at 602-714-8120.

Settling a Dispute with a Securities Dealer or Salesman

Option 1: Resolve Disputes Directly with the Securities Dealer.
If you have a dispute with a securities dealer or securities professional, you can first try to resolve it with the securities dealer. If the person you are dealing with is not helpful, contact a supervisor in the firm or the firm's compliance department.

Option 2: Resolve Dispute through Arbitration or Mediation.
Review your customer account agreement to determine whether you have agreed to procedures regarding dispute resolution. Most customer account agreements require the investor to take any dispute to arbitration, and not directly to court. Learn more about how to prevent and settle a dispute with an securities professional or dealer by reading FINRA's Investor Guide to Preventing and Settling Industry Disputes or visiting www.finra.org.

Remember, you are always entitled to file a complaint with the Securities Division, even if you go to arbitration.

Questions? Contact the Registration and Compliance Duty Officer directly with your inquiry.

IMPORTANT: To file a complaint involving the exploitation of a vulnerable adult, use the Vulnerable Adult Exploitation Form from Adult Protective Services (APS).