Table of Contents

Forced arbitration ubiquitous in consumer contracts
A report from Public Citizen reveals that mandatory binding arbitration clauses, or “forced arbitration,” are prevalent in consumer contracts. Seventy-five percent of companies in eight industries used forced arbitration, according to the report. Comments: 2

Short-term payday loans force customers to quickly re-borrow
The Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) has issued a report on payday loans which finds that three quarters of loan volume in the industry is generated by borrowers who, after meeting the short-term due date of the loan, must re-borrow before their next pay period. Comments: 0

“Day of Action” highlights impact of recession on communities
From Chicago to San Francisco, Birmingham to Detroit and in more than 50 cities across the country, the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) held public rallies and events at 54 locations across the U.S. calling for greater accountability and integrity in the U.S. financial system. Comments: 0

Reasons you can’t get your credit report fixed
A noted national consumer law organization releases a report documenting the abysmal quality of the credit report dispute system provided for by law to protect consumers from errors in their credit reports. Comments: 2

Could regulations have prevented the economic crisis?
A new report by the Congressional Oversight Committee points to three areas of regulation that could have prevented the current economic crisis. Comments: 1

Outdated safety protections expose kids to unsafe toys
Public Citizen has released a study detailing how failures in U.S. trade policy and consumer protections continue to expose the country's children to a flood of toxic and unsafe toys. Comments: 0

Call to Action: Health Care Reform 2009
Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), chair of the key U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, has issued a detailed "white paper" on insurance-based health care reform. It includes public and private plan options and directives to limit "out of pocket" costs for patients. Comments: 0

Mortgage companies asked to do more to help at-risk homeowners
In a letter to mortgage servicers accused of doing little to help at-risk homeowners, U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) asks that they temporarily suspend foreclosures and participate in the Hope for Homeowners Program. Comments: 0

Some mortgage modifications are actually increasing home loans
Public Citizen's Consumer Law and Policy Blog has posted a study revealing a wide disparity in the types of mortgage modifications being offered to homeowners. Comments: 1

Foreclosures and voting rights
No Voter Left Behind, a Democrat supported group, is urging Americans in foreclosure to know their rights before Election Day. Comments: 0