What to Do If You Receive a FINRA 8210 Letter

So you got a letter in the mail from FINRA. It’s asking for information and documents related to an investigation they are conducting. This letter is known as a Rule 8210 letter, and it’s not something to ignore! I know it can be intimidating receiving something like this from a regulatory body, but don’t panic. I’m here to walk you through what to do step-by-step if you get one of these letters.

What is a FINRA 8210 Letter?

FINRA (the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) is an organization that regulates brokerage firms and exchange markets. They have the authority to investigate potential violations of securities laws and regulations.

Rule 8210 is a rule that gives FINRA the power to request information and documents from member firms and associated individuals as part of an investigation. It allows them to inspect and copy books, records, and accounts that are related to the investigation.

So if you receive a Rule 8210 letter, it means FINRA is looking into something and wants information from you to assist in their investigation. The letter will specify what documents or information they need and give you a deadline to respond.

Don’t Panic!

I know getting a letter like this can cause anxiety. You may not even understand why FINRA wants information from you! But the first thing you need to do is take a deep breath and not panic.

Just because you received a Rule 8210 letter does NOT necessarily mean you are the target of the investigation. FINRA sends these letters out to all sorts of people to gather information during an investigation. You may have just been someone they identified as having potentially relevant documents or insight.

The best thing you can do is respond professionally and thoroughly. Cooperating with a regulatory investigation, even if you don’t fully understand it, is crucial.

Read the Letter Carefully

The most important thing you need to do upon receiving a Rule 8210 letter is READ IT CAREFULLY!

You want to fully understand what information or documents FINRA is requesting from you. The letter should provide details on the specific materials they need you to provide.

Pay close attention to the deadline they give you to respond. Make sure you note how they need you to deliver the documents – electronically, by mail, etc. Not complying with the proper delivery method could cause issues.

You also want to see if they give any indication about what exactly they are investigating. This can help you better understand why they need information from you.

Consult with a Securities Lawyer

Before you do anything else, it’s highly recommended you consult with a qualified securities lawyer.

An experienced attorney can help you understand your rights and obligations related to the Rule 8210 letter. They can provide guidance on how best to respond and represent you through the process.

You want to be sure you don’t accidentally make missteps when dealing with a regulatory investigation. An attorney can help prevent that.

Gather the Requested Information

Once you’ve consulted a lawyer, it’s time to gather all the information and documents requested by FINRA in the 8210 letter.

Make sure you are thorough and provide everything they asked for. Go through your personal files, emails, computer files, and anywhere else the documents could be stored. Leave no stone unturned!

If you discover some of the requested information is no longer available or has been destroyed, make note of that in your response to FINRA.

Review the Information Carefully

Before providing the information to FINRA, you and your attorney will want to thoroughly review everything. Make sure you fully understand all the documents you are handing over.

You’ll want to redact or remove any confidential personal information (social security numbers, etc) that is not relevant to the investigation. Your lawyer can help identify anything that should be redacted.

Respond Within the Deadline

Make sure you respond to the Rule 8210 letter within the deadline given by FINRA! Not meeting the deadline could result in additional penalties.

If for some reason you need more time to gather the information, you can request an extension. But this needs to be done BEFORE the original deadline passes.

Once you’ve gathered everything, deliver it in the manner specified in the letter. Send the information to the exact person and address listed.

Be Truthful

As you respond to the letter and provide documents, make sure everything you submit is completely truthful. Misrepresenting facts or providing false information will only cause more problems.

If you discover any past inaccuracies as you gather documents, consult your lawyer before providing them. You want to avoid self-incrimination.

Don’t Discuss the Investigation

You’ll want to keep the Rule 8210 letter confidential and avoid discussing it with colleagues or friends in the industry. The investigation is likely meant to be private.

You especially don’t want to tip off anyone who may be the target of the investigation. This could land you in hot water with FINRA.

Follow Up if Necessary

Provide any additional information FINRA requests in a timely manner. Make sure you continue cooperating fully until the investigation is closed.

If FINRA needs clarification on anything you provided, respond promptly to their requests for follow up info.

Don’t Ignore Future Letters

Hopefully this will be the only Rule 8210 letter you receive from FINRA! But if you get additional letters in the future, be sure to follow all the same steps.

Never ignore a Rule 8210 letter. The consequences could be severe, including getting barred from the securities industry.

Conclusion

Receiving a request from FINRA for information under Rule 8210 can feel stressful. But try not to worry! Just make sure you consult a qualified securities attorney, cooperate fully by providing all requested documents before the deadline, and continue assisting FINRA as needed.

Handled properly, the FINRA investigation will conclude and you can put this behind you. The key is responding professionally and working diligently to comply with FINRA’s request. With the right legal guidance, you’ll get through this process smoothly!