In today’s increasingly competitive environment, many companies have structured their business models around deceptive and unfair practices that target consumers. Some of these predatory tactics include false or misleading advertising, high-pressure sales, charging for services that are never actually provided, and burying hidden fees in the fine print of a sales agreement.
Carney Bates & Pulliam takes pride in representing individuals and small businesses who have been harmed by fraudulent activities. Our attorneys fight to ensure that businesses offer products and services fairly to all Americans and protect consumers’ economic security by ensuring clear prices, easy to understand terms, and no hidden risks or fees.
Holding Companies Accountable
In the course of our practice, our attorneys have successfully taken on some of the world’s most powerful corporations in major litigation, including Wal-Mart, Bank of America, BASF, Discover Card, Capital One, Citigroup, 3M, JPMorgan Chase, ASARCO, and HSBC.
Leveling the Playing Field
While state and federal laws prohibit unfair, deceptive, and fraudulent business practices, corporations recognize that, realistically, no one will file an individual lawsuit for a small claim. They know that if they defraud large groups of consumers for pennies on the dollar, they can (and will) reap millions or even billions in illegal profits – all while their customers sit powerless to stop them. That is, until we step in.
Carney Bates & Pulliam specializes in stopping such egregious and widespread fraudulence through class action litigation. A class action lawsuit is brought on behalf of all of the individuals who have been harmed by a particular illegal business practice. This type of litigation is a powerful weapon for combating corporate wrongdoing and is often the best way to stop large-scale harm to the consumer.
Unscrupulous companies are continually coming up with new ways to harm consumers through deceptive business practices, and thus Carney Bates & Pulliam is constantly evolving its areas of practice to best meet clients’ needs. Some principal fields of practice include:
Carney Bates & Pulliam has been involved in some of the nation’s leading consumer cases. Among other litigation, the firm has:
- Forced settlements from major credit card companies for predatory practices such as improper interest rate calculations or fraudulent enrollment in valueless payment protection plans;
- Brought suit against prominent insurance companies over deceptive tactics used in the sale of policies;
- Represented classes of mortgage borrowers who have been charged improper or undisclosed fees in connection with their mortgage loans;
- Represented working Americans who have been unlawfully charged bank fees by some of the nation’s largest financial institutions.
Internet Fraud and Privacy Issues
Carney Bates & Pulliam has taken an active role in new, cutting-edge cases involving technology and Internet privacy. Our firm is dedicated to protecting our clients’ sensitive information from an ever-increasing number of predatory businesses and individuals.
Carney Bates & Pulliam has led the way in pursuing cases against airlines that have violated international regulations regarding flight delays and cancellations.