The Small Claims Action Center is the nation’s first organization dedicated to helping consumers use small claims courts to challenge unfair or deceptive corporate practices.
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Our Mission
Millions of Americans are harmed each year by the deceptive or fraudulent billing practices that utility providers, airlines, hotels, car rental companies, and other corporations routinely employ. These and other unfair or unlawful business practices typically go unchallenged because they’re deemed “too small.” At SCAC, we wholeheartedly reject this belief.
Our goal is simple – to show consumers that they don’t have to wait for anyone else to stop corporations from nickle-and-diming us. We can take action into our own hands.
We are not a full-service legal aid clinic. Rather, we provide claimants with the information and resources they need to litigate in small claims without hiring an attorney.
In short, we envision a world where small claims courts are used as a tool for achieving real change through disaggregated class actions.
Our Work
Our work centers around three pillars:
(1) Educating consumers. We provide resources that consumers can use to identify valid claims, file complaints, and litigate them successfully in small claims court. We provide consumers in every state the guidance they need to navigate the small claims process, from identifying a claim to enforcing a judgment.
(2) Amassing successful strategies for small claims litigants. Our longterm goal is to develop a systematic approach to small claims court litigation. As we identify corporate practices that can be challenged in small claims and raise awareness among consumers, we will collect useful knowledge on the best practices for navigating this unique sector of our legal system. We will amass strategies, tips, and tricks to eventually develop an information-sharing depository for future small claims litigants to reference and replicate.
(3) Building coalitions. We partner with law schools, law firms, and other nonprofits to develop a nationwide small claims network.
Why small claims?
Small claims courts are much more accessible for American citizens compared to other parts of our legal system. Costs are minimal, procedures are simplified, and hiring an attorney is not necessary. Anyone with a minor dispute – usually involving $10,000 or less, depending on state rules – can have their day in court simply by filing a complaint and appearing on the appointed day.
Despite how easily they can be accessed, small claims courts can still feel intimidating to many consumers. Some may not realize that they have a claim against a corporation, while others may think that pursing a relatively small amount of money is not worth their time. Still others distrust the legal system entirely and are anxious about speaking before a judge.
These mindsets are understandable, but they‘re also part of why corporations are able to get away with nickel-and-diming American consumers. When we don’t challenge these “low-dollar” harms, corporations have little incentive to avoid engaging in such practices, and there is little accountability when they do.
SCAC seeks to empower individuals to use small claims to challenge corporate greed. We’re here to help you identify your claim, educate you on the process, and boost your confidence.
Many states have enacted consumer protection statutes, which allow consumers to collect a monetary penalty for each violation. In some states, successful plaintiffs may be awarded triple damages and/or attorneys’ fees. We believe that consumer protection cases filed in small claims serve a dual purpose. First, they return money to the pockets of harmed consumers. Second, in the aggregate, they can incentivize corporations to cease their abusive practices and adopt more consumer-friendly practices.
Ready to take action?
Need resources on how to sue a corporation in small claims? Not sure if you might have a claim? We are here to help. Work for an organization that is interested in partnering with us? We would love to hear from you.
Contact our Strategic Counsel at alexandria@smallclaimsaction.org.
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The information contained on this website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reviewing this site or otherwise communicating with the Small Claims Action Center does not automatically create an attorney-client relationship.