If you are a Chase credit card customer, you probably received an email on May 31 with the subject line Important information regarding changes to your Chase account.
If you're like most people, you either deleted that bad boy unread or you skimmed it for uh-oh words like "past due" and then deleted it.
Chase, of course, in its assholic wisdom, is counting on exactly that reaction.
That's because the email is their only warning to customers that they will be forced into mandatory arbitration as of August 11, 2019. Customers are also losing the right to pursue class action lawsuits against Chase, should the banking giant decide to engage in some shady shenanigans. Chase is (allegedly) immunizing itself from any possible future class action lawsuits by making mandatory arbitration the default.
Here's why that matters: According to the Economic Policy Institute, the little guy is more likely to lose in forced arbitration, and even if they win, they are awarded less money than they would have received in court.
You do not want to be stuck with mandatory forced arbitration, and Chase is making the opt-out as onerous as possible. You are required to:
1. Send a letter. On paper. With ink. Like in olden days.
2. Include your name, address, account number, and personal signature on said ancient technology.
3. Get said ancient tech to P.O. Box 15298, Wilmington, DE 19850-5298 by August 9, 2019.
4. No other form of communication will be accepted.
This is a little like Goliath stealing into David's camp the night before and breaking his sling shot. It ain't right.
Since coming up with the right wording for this kind of thing is not in most people's wheelhouse, here's a template you can use. Try to avoid using "Yo, chucklefucks" as your greeting.
JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.
P.O. Box 15298
Wilmington, DE 19850-5298
[Today's Date]
To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing this communication to REJECT the forced arbitration of future disputes relating in any way to my relationship with JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., Chase Bank USA, N.A., and all parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, and related entities ("Chase") that will otherwise go into effect as of August 11, 2019. I reserve my right to litigate all claims against Chase in court, including collective actions.
I retain a copy of this letter for my files.
Here is the requested information regarding my account:
[Name]
[Address]
[Account Number(s)]
Yours sincerely,
[Signature]
[Name]
Write up your letter, mail it out ASAP, and consider sending it certified to make sure they receive it. Because we've only got until August 9, 2019 to keep Chase from getting its grubby, giant paws on our slingshot.
Have you written your letter yet?