Volkswagen announced its customer care program for consumers cheated by the clean diesel fraud. The program gives consumers who register a $500 Visa gift card, a $500 dealer coupon, and three years of free roadside assistance. The last two benefits are nothing more than slick marketing, designed to drive… Continue Reading →
The claim process has started in our consumer fraud class action against BP for illegal debit card fees at Oregon ARCO stations. We’re getting a lot of calls, emails, and questions on our Facebook page. And on top of it all, ice and snow have moved into Portland. So… Continue Reading →
In our ongoing case against Career Education Corp. and Western Culinary Institute/ Le Cordon Bleu Portland, we’re continuing our work on the appeal. Background here. There is an interesting development that may or may not be related. We’re hearing occasional reports that Sallie Mae may be upping its collection… Continue Reading →
Nice piece here at Blue Oregon from Economic Fairness of Oregon relating to the need to end the consumer fraud exemption for insurance companies. Disclosure: When it comes to EFO, I’ve long been an unabashed fanboy–they do tremendous pro-consumer work. HB 3160-A is pending in the Oregon… Continue Reading →
Great KOIN-6 News report here KOIN-6 Iteam Hold Oregon insurers accountable highlighting the loophole that gives Oregon insurance companies a pass on Oregon’s Unlawful Trade Practice Act, our signature consumer protection law. A pending bill, HB 3160-A would close the loophole. The bill amends the Oregon Unlawful Trade… Continue Reading →
Great coverage here in today’s Oregonian by Brent Hunsberger regarding Umpqua Bank’s decision to cram mandatory arbitration down the throats of Umpqua customers. If you’re an Umpqua Bank customer, you might want to seriously consider moving your funds to a credit union. By way of background, the U.S. Supreme… Continue Reading →
News today that West Coast Bank reached an agreement with the FDIC relating to its “courtesy coverage” overdraft protection. According to Brent Hunsberger’s report in The Oregonian, the issue was ineffective opt outs. But there is a bigger problem with Oregon banks ordering transactions in a way that triggers… Continue Reading →
Oregon readers know about our gasoline rules. In Oregon, there is no self-service. So when you pull up to the pump and ask the attendant to gas it up, you commit to the purchase the minute the gas starts flowing into your tank. ARCO does not take credit cards. Consumers… Continue Reading →
In their recent decision in AT&T Mobility v. Concepcion, the U.S. Supreme Court gave a hearty five thumbs up to anything-goes arbitration clauses. The Court’s opinion means that consumers will trade their 7th Amendment rights to trial by jury for expensive, secret, pro-big business private arbitration. At least… Continue Reading →
A win for the plutocracy* Yesterday’s decision in AT&T Mobility LLC v. Concepcion represents a breathtakingly bad opinion that does profound harm to consumers. It’s a bit geeky, but the takeaway is that this is a huge win for the rich and… Continue Reading →