John Gear Law Office & Salem Consumer Law    503-569-7777
  • Welcome
  • Attorneys and Services
  • Contacts and Directions
  • Law for Real People blog
  • Useful links

A Great Cause to Support

10/21/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
0 Comments

Revoke the Big Banksters' License to Steal: Sign the Petition!

10/14/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
America’s biggest banks have a secret weapon, and they’re probably already using it against you.

It’s called a “forced arbitration” clause. Buried in the fine print of every customer’s contract, these clauses pre-emptively block consumers from going to court if the bank does something wrong.

If you are a customer at JP Morgan Chase, Citigroup, Wells Fargo, US Bancorp or PNC Financial, you have already agreed to forced arbitration – just by signing up for an account.

With forced arbitration, instead of going through the courts, customers must plead their cases to a private arbitrator who doesn’t even have to follow the law. The arbitrator’s decision is almost impossible to appeal [1], and any evidence of corporate wrongdoing remains secret.

Forced arbitration gives big banks a license to steal, and it must be revoked!

Unlike judges, arbitrators are chosen by your bank, and are not subject to the same rules as a court of law. They’re much more interested in the bank’s bottom line than in justice.

And it gets worse: forced arbitration also prevents you from bringing a class action lawsuit against the bank. Even if your bank screws over thousands of people, you’re totally on your own when it comes to fighting for justice.

Forced Arbitration has to stop. Join us to put the banks on notice.

If the banks don’t stop the use of forced arbitration, We the People will stop it for them.

Sources:

[1] Adam Levitin, American Banker, Mandatory Arbitration Offers Bargain-Basement Justice
0 Comments

More on "Lost in the Fine Print"

10/6/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture

Dear Friend:

In our democracy, the courts hold out the promise of safeguarding everyone, regardless of wealth and power. But that fundamental promise of equal justice under law is facing a severe threat.

That threat is the topic of a powerful brief documentary from Alliance for Justice, which I had the pleasure of narrating. It’s called Lost in the Fine Print.

Buried in everyday agreements for products, services, and jobs is fine print saying when you are harmed, you can’t go before an impartial jury or judge. Instead, these forced arbitration clauses send you to a decision-maker picked by the company that wronged you. Not surprisingly, one study found that arbitrators rule for companies over consumers 94 percent of the time. And you’re stuck with their decision because there’s no appeal. It’s a rigged system that helps companies evade responsibility for violating anti-discrimination, consumer protection, and public health laws.

Lost in the Fine Print tells the stories of three Americans victimized by forced arbitration. But that’s only the beginning. Alliance for Justice also has resources to help you fight back.

Join me and Alliance for Justice in the fight against forced arbitration. As I say in the video, what's been lost in the fine print can once again be found with strong voices. Our voices. I urge you to use yours.

Best,
Robert Reich
0 Comments

Speaking of forced arbitration: "Lost in the Fine Print" exposes the problem

10/6/2014

1 Comment

 
Fantastic New Documentary
Lost in the Fine Print --

Alliance for Justice goes after forced arbitration

Here’s a link to the film, and to a blog post describing it.  I think this is a really magnificent step forward in our community’s advocacy around forced arbitration.
 
http://bit.ly/ZrjzVF
 
Narrated by Robert Reich, the film traces three exceptionally powerful stories of people who’ve been really terribly treated by forced arbitration.  Outrageous abuses set out very well.  The Alliance has really done great work here, we owe them a huge debt of gratitude. 
1 Comment

Take away the Bankster's "Get Out of Jail Free" cards

10/6/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture

Americans for Financial Reform and our allies have long fought against forced-arbitration clauses that let the big banks break the law with impunity.

Here's how it works: just by opening an account or accepting a credit or debit card, you surrender your right to go to court if you are ever overcharged or treated unfairly. Instead, language buried deep in the fine print of the customer agreement requires you to plead your case before a private, secretive tribunal chosen for you by the bank.

Tell JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, Wells Fargo, US Bancorp, and PNC Financial to stop hiding behind fine-print arbitration clauses that block consumers from asserting their rights in a court of law!

Arbitrators don't have to abide by the law, their decisions are almost impossible to appeal, and, they know they're unlikely to be re-hired if they make a habit of giving consumers a fair shake. One more thing the banks like about this system: as a rule, each wronged consumer must act alone, even if hundreds or thousands of others have been harmed by the same pattern of misconduct. (And the evidence that could document that misconduct remains conveniently secret.)

Earlier this year, a firestorm of public outrage compelled General Mills to retreat from a plan to impose forced arbitration on purchasers of Cheerios and Wheaties. We want to send a similar message to five of the biggest banks.

Click here to tell the big banks to respect consumers and stop using forced arbitration as a "Get out of jail free" card.

Making our voices heard on this issue can make a difference in more than one way. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is studying the impact of forced arbitration, and it has the authority to restrict or even ban the practice if it finds evidence of harm. Joining in this action is one way to let the CFPB as well as the banks know we think forced arbitration is a license to steal, and needs to stop.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Lisa Donner
Executive Director
Americans for Financial Reform
0 Comments

For anyone considering ANY private for-profit education or training school

10/5/2014

0 Comments

 
A MUST-READ from an "admissions counselor:"

Now that I work for a startup that helps people pay off debt and understand more about student loans, I realize why it's not such a big deal to colleges like this if the students don't graduate. As long as a student stays enrolled for a few weeks, they're on the hook for those loans even if they end up dropping out. The student receives a new load of debt with no degree while the school still gets paid.

Picture
Ooooh, doesn't that shiny part look great?
0 Comments

    RSS Feed

    Author

    John Gear Law Office -
    Since 2010, a values-based Oregon law practice serving Oregon consumers, elders, employees, and nonprofits.

    Categories

    All
    Advertising
    All
    Arbitration
    Autofraud
    Bankruptcy
    Borrowing
    Class Actions
    Consumer Law
    Consumer Protection
    Consumer Protection Class Actions
    Credit
    Credit Reports
    Debt
    Debt Collection
    Elder Abuse
    Elders
    Employment
    End Of Life
    Fairness
    Fdcpa
    Foreclosures
    Fundraising
    Funeral
    Games Car Dealers Play
    Garnishments
    Great Stuff
    Health Care/Insurance
    I (heart) Liz Warren
    Insurance
    Lawyer Referral Service
    Legal Resources
    Lemon Law
    Life Planning
    Long-term Care Facilities
    Media
    Military
    Military Assistance Panel
    Modifications
    Mortgages
    N.A.O.
    Nonprofits
    Oregonadminrules
    OregonLaws.org
    Plain English
    Preparing For Departure
    Privacy
    Pro Bono
    Resources
    Right To Repair
    Safety
    Scam
    Scams
    Strategic Planning
    Student Loans
    Tort Reform
    Training
    Used Cars
    Veterans
    Wage Garnishment
    Wage Theft
    Warnings
    Warranties
    Watchdogs
    Workplace

    Archives

    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    April 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011

    RSS Feed

Picture

LAWYERLY FINE PRINT:

John Gear Law Office LLC and Salem Consumer Law.  John Gear Law Office is in Suite 208B of the Security Building in downtown Salem at 161 High St. SE, across from the Elsinore Theater, a half-block south of Marion County Courthouse, just south of State Street. There is abundant, free 3-hour on-street parking throughout downtown Salem, and three multi-story parking ramps that offer free customer parking in downtown Salem too.

Our attorneys are only licensed to practice law in Oregon. This site may be considered advertising under Oregon State Bar rules. There is no legal advice on this site so you should not interpret anything you read here as intended for your particular situation. Besides, we are not representing you and we are not your attorneys unless you have hired us by entering into a representation agreement with me. While we do want you to consider us when you seek an attorney, you should not hire any attorney based on brochures, websites, advertising, or other promotional materials.  All original content on this site is Copyright John Gear, 2010-2022.

Photos used under Creative Commons from Tony Webster, brand0con, eirikso, Fibonacci Blue, Jirka Matousek, Rd. Vortex, rcbrazier - Brazier Creative, cogdogblog, marfis75, marcoverch, GWP Photography, byzantiumbooks, Mic V., notacrime, emrank, Family Art Studio, dotpolka, respres, Mark Cummins, a little tune, Insulinde, Bill Wards Brickpile, Roger Chang, AnthonyMendezVO, jonrawlinson, Andres Rueda, Franco Folini, inman news, Pictures by Ann, ph-stop, crabchick, Jilligan86, Elvert Barnes, p.Gordon, CarbonNYC, Digital Sextant, darkpatator, Neil T, rictic, Mr. Mystery, SeanC90, richardmasoner, www.metaphoricalplatypus.com, lindsayloveshermac, Santacreu, =Nahemoth=, ReinventedWheel, LadyDragonflyCC - On Vacation, See you all soon!, Mr. T in DC, Nisha A, markcbrennan, Celestine Chua, Furryscaly, smkybear, CarbonNYC, radioedit, Don Hankins, Henrik Hovhannisyan, CoreBurn, Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com, David Masters, SeeMidTN.com (aka Brent), SoulRider.222, amboo who?, robwest, Rob Ellis', floeschie, Key Foster, TechCocktail, That Other Paper, marcoverch, oskay, Muffet, rodaniel, Alan Cleaver, Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com, Horia Varlan, xJasonRogersx, billaday, BasicGov, One Way Stock, mikebaird, Nevado, shalf