MWS - Photo for Consumer Area

"We don't take every case that comes
in the door. We take cases that will make
a difference for consumers."

Michael W. Sobol, Partner and Chair of
the Consumer Protection Practice Group

  • "One of the nation's premier plaintiffs' firms."

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Practice Areas

Consumer Protection

Upholding the rights of consumers

False advertising, bait and switch marketing, phony disclosure of manipulative bookkeeping devices, unconscionable pricing, and charging for services never provided are some of the many unfair and deceptive practices rogue corporations use to defraud consumers. These deceptive business practices also distort the marketplace by allowing dishonest businesses to gain an unfair advantage over ethical competitors. State and federal laws, however, provide consumers with broad protection from unfair and illegal business practices.

Fierce defenders of consumers

Lieff Cabraser advises consumers as well as businesses whether and how to pursue legal action to halt and obtain compensation for the deceptive practices of large corporations. With a blend of courage, superior legal skills, and high principles, we protect our clients' interests and help them achieve their goals by winning highly-complex consumer protection lawsuits against those that have defrauded consumers.

Successfully challenging deceptive business practices

We have successfully prosecuted scores of consumer class action lawsuits against many of the largest U.S. banks, financial service companies, and corporations. Working with co-counsel, we have achieved judgments and settlements in excess of $3 billion for consumers in these cases.

Experience across markets and industries

Our consumer protection attorneys handle cases spanning a broad range of goods and services. We have represented homeowners charged for escrow services that were never provided, bank debit and credit cardholders assessed improper and excessive late, over limit, and overdraft fees, and uninsured hospital patients charged exorbitant prices for medical care.

Consumer Lawsuit Information Videos

In 2012, Lieff Cabraser attorneys Michael Sobol, chair of our consumer protection practice group, and Roger Heller were selected as finalists for the Consumer Attorney of the Year Award given by the Consumer Attorneys of California for their work in the Bank of America overdraft fees case.

Richard Heimann explains how Wells Fargo Bank manipulated the processing of debit card transactions to assess its customers greater numbers of overdraft fees.

Successes

Case Result
Auto Loan Discrimination

The litigation led to substantial changes in the way Toyota Motor Credit Corporation, American Honda Finance Corporation and WFS Financial, Inc., sell automobile finance contracts, limiting racial discrimination in auto loans that can occur.

Full Story
Providing for refinancing of billions of dollars in auto loans, and requiring new procedures to stop racial discrimination.
Progressive Corporation

The nationwide class action challenging Progressive Corporation's private passenger automobile insurance sales practices.In 2002, the Court approved a settlement valued at approximately $450 million, which included both cash and equitable relief.

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Settlement valued at $450 million
Catholic Healthcare West

In January 2007, the Court approved a settlement that provides discounts, refunds and other benefits for uninsured CHW patients valued at $423 million.

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Settlement valued at $423 million
Bank of America Overdraft Fees

Lieff Cabraser serves on the plaintiffs' executive committee and is the lead plaintiffs' law firm prosecuting the case against Bank of America in Multi-District Litigation against the nation's major banks for the collection of excessive overdraft fees.

Full Story
$410 million settlement
Sutter Health Uninsured Patients

Plaintiffs alleged that they and a Class of uninsured patients treated at Sutter hospitals were charged substantially more than patients with private or public insurance, and many times above the cost of providing their treatment.

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Settlement valued at $276 million
Citigroup Loan Cases

Former customers of The Associates charging that the company added on mortgage loans unwanted and unnecessary insurance products and engaged in improper loan refinancing practices.

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Settlement valued at $240 million
Natural Gas Royalties

Lieff Cabraser and co-counsel represented owners of natural gas royalties in a number of lawsuits filed against gas producers and operators. Our clients recovered more than $150 million.

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Over $150 million in settlements
John Muir Uninsured Patients

Plaintiffs alleged that they and a Class of uninsured patients treated at John Muir hospitals were charged substantially more than patients with private or public insurance, and many times above the cost of providing their treatment.

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Settlement valued at $115 million
Synthroid Marketing

In April 1996, the first of many class action lawsuits were filed against Knoll, alleging that Knoll wrongfully suppressed the publication of a study in order to protect Synthroid's market share and to maintain artificially high prices for Synthroid.

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$87.4 million settlement
Scripps Health Uninsured Patients

Lieff Cabraser served as Lead Class Counsel in a certified class action lawsuit on behalf of uninsured hospital patients who alleged that Scripps Health imposed excessive fees and charges for medical treatment.

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Settlement valued at $73 million
Lawn Mowers

Lieff Cabraser served as co-counsel for consumers that alleged manufacturers of certain gasoline-powered lawn mowers misrepresented the horsepower of the product, and were awarded a $65 million settlement in August 2010. 

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$65 million settlement
Nextel Communications

In 2006, the Court granted final approval to a class action settlement on behalf of all California customers of Nextel alleging Nextel unilaterally added monthly service fees and/or changed from second-by-second billing to minute-by-minute billing.

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Settlement valued at $55 million
Fairbanks Capital

In 2004, the Court approved a $55 million settlement of a class action lawsuit against Fairbanks Capital Corporation arising out of charges against Fairbanks of misconduct in servicing its customers' mortgage loans.

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$55 million settlement
California Title Insurance

In coordination with parallel litigation brought by the California Attorney General, the consumer class actions against the state's leading title insurance companies resulted in historic, industry-wide changes to the practice of providing escrow services in real estate closings in California.

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$50 million settlement
Vytorin/Zetia

In 2010, the Court granted final approval to a $41.5 million settlement for persons and entities which paid for Vytorin between November 2002 and the date of final approval of the settlement.

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$41.5 million settlement
Property ID

Plaintiffs charged that the brokers and Property I.D. Corporation set up straw companies as a way to disguise kickbacks for referring their California clients' natural hazard disclosure report business to Property I.D.

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$40 million settlement
American Family Publishers

Lieff Cabraser served as Co-Lead Counsel for a nationwide class of persons who received any sweepstakes materials sent under the name "American Family Publishers."

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$33 million settlement
Ameriquest

Lieff Cabraser served as Co-Lead Counsel for borrowers who alleged that Ameriquest engaged in a predatory lending scheme based on the sale of loans with illegal and undisclosed fees and terms. In August 2010, the Court approved a $22 million settlement.

 

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$22 million settlement
Estratest

In March 2010, the Court granted final approval to a $16.5 million settlement of a false advertising class action lawsuit against Solvay Pharmaceuticals.

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$16.5 million settlement
Reverse Mortgage Cases

The lawsuit by seniors charged they were misled as to the loan terms, including the existence and amount of certain charges and fees.

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$8 million settlement
Providian Credit Card Practices

Lieff Cabraser represented credit cardholders who alleged that Providian had engaged in widespread misconduct by charging unlawful and excessive interest and late charges, and by selling products with illusory benefits.

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Settlement
California Uninsured Patient Hospital Pricing Litigation

Under settlements with several of California's largest hospital chains, almost a million patients received refunds or bill adjustments, and millions more benefitted from reduced prices for future medical care.

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Price discrimination against California uninsured patients ended
California Emergency Physicians

The 2009 settlement provided complete debt elimination to uninsured patients treated by California Emergency Physicians Medical Group during the 4-year class period.

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Complete debt elimination provided
Dell False Discounts

Lieff Cabraser represents a class certified by District Court Judge Ronald M. Whyte in the Northern District of California of on-line purchasers of Dell computers who were victims of Dell's alleged deliberate scheme of misrepresenting price discounts through a systematic web-based false advertising campaign.

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$50 cash payments
Inaccurate Credit Reporting

Lieff Cabraser serves as Co-Lead Counsel in a nationwide class action lawsuit against the nation's three major repositories of consumer credit information, Experian Information Solutions, Inc., Trans Union, LLC, and Equifax Information Services, LLC.

Full Story
Second-largest settlement ever under Fair Credit Reporting Act
View More Successes

Current Cases

Case Issue
412(i) Retirement Pension Plans

Lieff Cabraser is investigating alleged unfair business practices related to 412(i) retirement pension plans.

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Fraud and false advertising
Abusive Autodialer and Robocall Complaints

We represent consumers who have been subjected to repeated pre-recorded, non-emergency calls to customers who did not expressly consent to be called on their cell phones during the original loan transaction.

Full Story
Abusive robocalls
AT&T and Verizon Communications Unauthorized Cramming Charge Lawsuits

Lieff Cabraser, along with co-counsel, represents nationwide classes of landline telephone customers subjected to the deceptive business practice known as "cramming."

Full Story
Consumer protection
FalconStor Software, Inc. Data Loss

Lieff Cabraser is investigating potential illegal conduct as alleged in class action lawsuits brought on behalf of purchasers of the common stock of FalconStor Software, Inc. between February 5, 2009 and September 29, 2010, inclusive.

Full Story
Consumer protection
Bank Overdraft Fees

Excessive and illegal overdraft fees affect millions of Americans, costing them billions each year. Lieff Cabraser is at the forefront of litigation seeking to force banks to stop these illegal and unfair practices.

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Accounting tricks to maximize overdraft fees
Chase "Check Loan"

Credit cardholders charge that Chase Bank violated the federal Truth In Lending Act and state consumer protection statutes by unilaterally modifying the terms of long-term fixed rate loans.

Full Story
Breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing
DirecTV

Based on customer complaints, Lieff Cabraser is investigating an allegedly deceptive business practice committed by DirecTV.

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Early cancellation charges
Google Street View

Lieff Cabraser is investigating allegations that Google has operated vehicles to surreptitiously intercept electronic communications and gather data from private citizens in violation of state and federal law.

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Privacy violations
ING Direct

Lieff Cabraser represents consumers in a lawsuit alleging that ING Direct breached its promise to allow borrowers to refinance their loans for a flat fee.

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Consumer fraud
Kindred Nursing Facilities

Lieff Cabraser, with co-counsel, represents a senior who on behalf of herself and a proposed class of nursing home residents at Kindred facilities charges that Kindred failed to provide sufficent nurses for elderly and disabled residents at its California skilled nursing facilities in violation of state law.

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Inadequate nursing staff levels
Litton Loan Servicing

The class action complaint charged Litton Loan, LP with violations of federal and state law.

Full Story
Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act violations
Morgan Stanley Mortgage Discrimination

Lieff Cabraser serves as Co-Counsel in a class action lawsuit against Morgan Stanley for discrimination in violation of the Fair Housing Act and other civil rights laws. 

Full Story
Fair Housing Act violations
National Arbitration Forum

As alleged in the complaint, the NAF is an independent entity but is closely tied to the credit and debt collections industries.

Full Story
Conspiracy and fraud
Neurontin

Lieff Cabraser serves on the Plaintiffs' Steering Committee in multidistrict litigation arising out of the sale and marketing of the prescription drug Neurontin.

Full Story
Fraudulent marketing for off-label uses
New York Life Insurance Policy Class Action

We represent a policyholder of New York Life who charges that the company breached its contract with policyholders by not paying a lump sum (at a specified minimum interest) or paying proceeds at a guaranteed interest rate to beneficiaries as required under its life insurance policies.

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Breach of contract for guaranteed interest rate
Nissan Intelligent Key Safety Concerns

Lieff Cabraser represents consumers in a class action lawsuit charging that Nissan violated various state statutes in connection with Nissan's Intelligent Key system.

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Statutory violations
Sallie Mae Telemarketing

The lawsuit charges that Sallie Mae made automated phone calls to its loan holders' cellular phones without prior consent.

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Prohibited autodialer phone calls
Sprint "Everything Messaging" False Advertising

Consumers were allegedly charged an aggregate of nearly eighty million dollars for sending pictures using their cell phones despite a clear statement that picture messaging would be "unlimited" to subscribers of the "Everything Messaging" plan.

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Misrepresentation of cell phone plan
Universal Music Group

Plaintiffs allege that Universal Music Group failed to pay the recording artists full royalty income earned from customers' purchases of digitally downloaded music from vendors such as Apple iTunes.

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Breach of contract
Virginia Gas Owners Litigation

Coal and energy corporations have claimed that they, as coal owners, own the gas produced in coalbed methane wells. These claims are contrary to Virginia law.

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Consumer protection
Wells Fargo Overdraft Fees

The District Court issued a $203 million judgment against Wells Fargo for deceiving customers that debit card purchases would be posted chronologically when Wells Fargo posted them in a high-to-low order for the sole purpose of generating overdraft fees. 

Full Story
$203 million in restitution
View More Current Cases

Investigations

Case Allegation
AT&T Wireless/Cell Phone Co. Unauthorized 3rd Party Fees ("Cramming")

At the request of subscribers, we are investigating claims that AT&T Wireless/Mobility and other cell phone companies have improperly charged customers unauthorized fees from third parties.

Full Story
Unauthorized fees
Pregnancy and Maternity Leave Discrimination In Mortgage Lending

Lieff Cabraser is investigating complaints that mortgage lenders have denied loans on the basis that the borrower is pregnant or a new mother on maternity leave.

Full Story
Sex discrimination by lenders
Payment Protection Credit Card Litigation

Credit card customers charge that credit card companies have engaged in unfair, deceptive, and bad faith business practices in the marketing and sale of payment protection.

Full Story
Fraud and false advertising
Balance Bars

Lieff Cabraser is investigating complaints by consumers that Balance Bar claims to be an "all natural" nutrition bar when, as alleged, they are not.

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Alleged false advertising
Odwalla Bars

Lieff Cabraser is investigating complaints by consumers that Odwalla claims to be an "all natural" nutrition bar when, as alleged, they are not.

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Alleged false advertising
Android Privacy Complaints

Lieff Cabraser is investigating claims that Android smartphone manufacturers and cellular carriers created an illegal wiretap by integrating software called Carrier IQ into the Android operating system.

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Violation of privacy laws
Stanford Hospital Medical Privacy Breach

Lieff Cabraser is currently investigating a medical privacy breach that led to the public online posting of 20,000 emergency room patients’ data during a six month period from the Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto, California. 

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Disclosure of confidential medical records
Verizon Wireless

Lieff Cabraser is investigating claims that Verizon Wireless has assessed charges for services on monthly bills that were not ordered.

Full Story
Billing practices
WellPoint/Anthem/Blue Cross

Lieff Cabraser is investigating complaints that women allegedly have had their health insurance policy improperly canceled after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

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Insurance cancellations
ZonePerfect Nutrition Bars

Lieff Cabraser is investigating complaints by consumers that ZonePerfect Nurition Bars claims to be an "all natural" nutrition bar when, as alleged, they are not.

Full Story
Alleged false advertising
Equity Indexed Universal Life Insurance

Lieff Cabraser is investigating consumer complaints regarding equity indexed universal life insurance, also referred to as equity-based life insurance.

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Alleged consumer fraud
Payday Loans Complaints And Bank Fees Problems

In addition to the outrageous interest rates charged, many payday loan customers have been accessed overdraft fees triggered by the withdrawals from their account assessed by payday lenders.

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High interest rates and overdraft fees
Servicemember Consumer Protection

Lieff Cabraser is investigating companies targeting Army, Navy, and Air Force personnel in frauds and scams designed to take advantage of servicemembers nationwide.

Full Story
Consumer protection
Pilot Flying J Fuel Rebate Fraud Investigation & Lawsuits

Lieff Cabraser is currently representing customers in an action against Pilot Flying J involving Pilot's common, systematic, deceptive, and fraudulent withholding diesel fuel price rebates it agreed to pay commercial trucking customers for the purchase of diesel fuel at its truck stops.

Full Story
Shortchanging truckers and trucking companies on rebates for fuel purchases
View More Investigations