Practice Areas / Consumer Protection
Don’t let corporations take advantage of you.
A small overcharge to one customer can add up to millions when done to many. We hold businesses accountable for false advertising, hidden fees, and misleading renewal fees.
Results in this area
$4.5 million
Class settlement for California bail bond cosigners, Abeyta v. DMCG
Arbitration and dismissal defeated
Court denied Academia.edu’s motions to compel arbitration and to dismiss our right of publicity class action (2026). Read more
What we handle
When businesses cut corners
Automatic renewal fees
California generally requires a clear disclosure and your consent before a business enrolls you in recurring charges.
False advertising
Paying for a product that doesn’t work as advertised can support claims under various consumer protection laws.
Hidden fees and add-ons
Inflated fees and add-on charges slipped into a purchase can sometimes be unlawful.
Cosigner protections
Lenders generally must give cosigners a notice before they sign. Without it, the debt may not be enforceable against you.
Using your name for advertising
Companies can’t use your name or identity to market their products without consent.
Scam losses
Banks, brokerages, and exchanges can be responsible when they ignore clear signs of fraud.
Crypto and bank scam losses
Did your bank or brokerage let scammers drain your savings?
We represent older adults whose financial institutions failed to protect them, often after scammers posing as government investigators talked them into liquidating their accounts. We pursue claims in court or arbitration. Time limits can be short.
Open investigations in this area
Were you affected?
FILED & PENDING
Bought a car from a Swickard dealership in California?
Class action over add-on charges and inflated fees.
FILED & PENDING
Is Academia.edu using your identity to sell its products?
Right of publicity class action on behalf of scholars.
INVESTIGATING
Lost retirement savings to a crypto or bank scam?
Claims against institutions that failed to stop the fraud.
Our work in this area
Other consumer cases
Abeyta v. DMCG
CLASS SETTLEMENT
A $4.5 million settlement for California bail bond cosigners who did not receive legally required notices.
Call recording, data sharing, or surveillance? See Privacy & Surveillance →
Frequently asked questions
Consumer questions we hear
Can a business charge me automatic renewal fees without permission?
No. California law generally requires a clear and conspicuous disclosure and your consent before businesses can charge you automatically recurring subscription fees.
I paid for something that didn’t work as advertised. What can I do?
Consumer protection laws generally prohibit false advertising and fraudulent business practices. Contact us for an evaluation.
I cosigned for a friend without understanding it. Am I on the hook?
Lenders are generally required to give cosigners a notice before they sign. If you never received it, the debt may not be enforceable against you.
I lost money to a crypto scam. Can I get it back?
Sometimes. The bank, brokerage, or exchange may be responsible if it ignored clear warning signs or broke its own rules. Time limits are short, so contact us promptly.
What can I do if a company takes advantage of me?
Your options depend on the facts. Tell us what happened and we’ll explain them.
Free, confidential evaluation
Have a corporate misconduct issue?
- Tell us what happened using the form.
- A member of our team reaches out to you promptly.
- If we can help, we explain your options and how fees work before you commit to anything.
Request a free evaluation
Free and confidential. We’ll reach out promptly.
Other practice areas
Antitrust & Unfair Competition →Privacy & Surveillance →Civil Rights & Civil Liberties →Employment →Business Disputes →
Attorney advertising. This page is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.