Credit Card Arbitration

Giving Up Your Rights--Without Knowing It! by Scott Bilker
Scott Bilker is the author of the best-selling book "Credit Card and Debt Management." He is also the Editor and publisher of the FREE DebtSmart® E-mail Newsletter (http://www.debtsmart.com). Sign up today!

If you have a Capital One credit card, then I highly recommend you read this entire article!
I just received a letter from Capital One informing me that "enclosed is an important legal notice regarding arbitration" and I need to "read the entire notice to fully understand its implications" to my account.
This isn't the easiest reading by the way. It's a legal notice, written in legal language at the college graduate level. Quite different than the 6th-grade level credit offers they send me trying to get me to use my credit lines.
Here's an example from the arbitration letter: "The arbitration of any Claim must proceed on an individual basis, even if the Claim has been asserted in a court as a class action, private attorney general action or other representative of collective action."
Oh yeah, makes perfect sense to me.
Here's an example of the writing that's meant for me to easily understand (from a credit offer): "One of the attached Purchase Checks is already made payable to you. Consider using the other check to purchase something you've always wanted. It's that easy!"
Gee, I can understand that no problem. Why the difference in writing style? Could it be that in one case it's meant for me to be confused and in the other they want me to spend money on my credit lines? Could it be that both cases are written to work in Capital One's advantage? We both know the answers to those questions.
Here's the bottom line on this arbitration letter: if you do not reject the Arbitration Provision then it becomes part of your account. It's a "negative offer" similar to the music clubs that automatically send you the "CD of the Month" unless you tell them not to send it.
So what's the Arbitration Provision? It means that if you have a dispute that's listed in what they consider to be a dispute, the matter is taken to an impartial person, or group, to be resolved. Of course, you can choose your arbitrator--from their list.
It means that if you allow this provision to become part of your agreement you will not have the right to take your claim to court or participate in a class action lawsuit. And it may cost MORE to go to arbitration, probably because your attorney's fee could be covered for many claims, like say a class action lawsuit.
You may ask why it's important retain these rights?
First of all, I don't want to give up any rights unnecessarily, but more importantly is that although we are only going to recover pennies in a class action lawsuit, it's still in our best interest to be a part of these cases. Sure, the lawyers get all the money, but these lawsuits are one of the best defenses to keep the banks in check. It reminds them that they need to obey the law or they'll pay!
Here is a list of some of what they'll consider a "claim" (dispute you have with them or they have with you): Transactions or attempted transactions on your account.
Any billing or collection matters.
Any fees, interest, or their calculation.
Any products, services, or benefits programs in connection with your account (any insurance, rebates, rewards, etc.).
Any posting of transactions (including payments and credit) to your account. I called their contact number in the letter to ask questions but only connected to their recording system that delivers answers based on a phone menu. In others, words, I couldn't reach a human--no surprise there.
I would urge you to STOP the Arbitration Provision from becoming part of your credit card agreement! I don't see it as being in our favor at all! If you have a Capital One account and accidentally threw out that letter, listen to the recording at 1-888-578-5462 to learn how to reject the provision.
Here's the general rule: When businesses spend money to send you an offer it's usually in their best interest and probably not yours. There are exceptions; however; I always approach all offers with a level of skepticism.
I have received term changes from other credit card banks which, if rejected, mean that the account is closed. The only consequence of rejecting the Arbitration Provision, which I saw in the letter, is that it doesn't become part of your account terms.
Let's look at this from Capital One's point of view. They're lending money to many people who are going to stiff them in bankruptcy court. I can understand why they need to protect themselves, however, they must treat us "DebtSmart" customers with respect. We are their best clients, and we need to stick together to show all the banks who's really in control--who's paying their salaries!
Don't give up any of your rights!
To reject the Arbitration Provision you must follow the detailed directions for completing the "Arbitration Rejection Coupon" that accompanies the notification letter.
Although I feel like they are trying to pull a fast one here I still like Capital One and recommend their credit card because the interest rates are generally lower than other credit cards. In their defense, on this Arbitration Policy change issue at least they indicated all the salient information in bold print on the envelope and in the letter.
By the way, the deadline for reject the Arbitration Provision is 1/31/02

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