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Award-Winning “Maxed Out” Now Available In Paperback!

(New York, NY) January 4, 2008 – “Maxed Out”, the companion book to the documentary film, is now available on paperback, with a new foreword by author James D. Scurlock as well as a study guide. The book, published by Scribner, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, predicted much of the turmoil that is now front-page news in both the mainstream and financial press. “It seems like an eternity since the book was first published back in March,” observed author James Scurlock. “Back then, few people knew what ‘sub-prime’ was, and the financial industry and government regulators were still telling us that everything was under control. Now the cat’s out of the bag. However, there is still a great deal of confusion about the nature of the crisis itself, as well as what needs to be done to start fixing the monumental problems in our ‘easy credit’ system. The paperback brings things up-to-date. I hope that the book makes a contribution to the much-needed debate that’s been spearheaded by consumer groups like NACA, NCLC and Americans for Fairness in Lending.” “Maxed Out,” the film, won the 2006 South by Southwest Film Festival and was one of the critics’ best-reviewed films of 2007, scoring an 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the industry’s premier website. The film also won NACA’s national media award last year. The book, Maxed Out: Hard Times in the Age of Easy Credit, was recently named one of the top ten books of 2007 by Mother Jones, the largest progressive magazine in the country, and is nominated for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s “Book to Better Your Life Award,” to be announced next month. More information about the book and film can be found on http://www.maxedoutmovie.com. The book and film are available at major online and physical retailers nationwide. Bulk discounts are available by contacting Simon & Schuster directly at 1-800-456-6798. Source: Katie Monaghan, Scribner, Katherine.Monaghan@simonandschuster.com
Ohio Citizens, Stand Up For Your Rights! Overturn S.B.117
Join the campaign. Click here to go to the YourOhioRights Website
Last year the citizens of Ohio were cheated. The legislature swindled us out of the consumer protections that residents of this state had enjoyed for 30 years. Our elected officials limited the amount companies that cheat customers might have to pay if they're sued. The legislature changed the law at the request of the car dealers' lobby, but the damage limit applies to retail sales, predatory home loans, home repair contracts - almost any transaction a consumer makes. But even worse, the legislature cheated us out of having our say: It refused to allow any public testimony before it voted... . It's time to get our law - and our legislature - back...." Consumer Affairs columnist Sheryl Harris in the September 27, 2007 Plain Dealer.
Ban Mandatory Binding Arbitration!
Click Here to Join Us
When Congress enacted the Federal Arbitration Act ("FAA"), its goal was to allow an alternative forum for parties on equal footing to resolve their disputes. Yet a series of court decisions moved the law away from its original intent and opened the door for arbitration to be used to deprive ordinary citizens in employment, consumer, and franchise disputes of their constitutional right to use the civil justice system.
Maxed Out
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Maxed Out shows how the modern financial industry really works, explains the true definition of "preferred customer" and tells us why the poor are getting poorer and the rich getting richer. By turns hilarious and profoundly disturbing, Maxed Out paints a picture of a national nightmare which is all too real for most of us. Maxed Out won critical acclaim at the South by Southwest film festival in Austin, Texas in March, and Simon & Schuster plans to publish a memoir based on Director James Scurlock's interviews and travels during the making of the film next year. Ann Hornaday of the Washington Post, calls Maxed Out a "riveting examination of America's debt problem." Sally Foster of Film Threat says that "Maxed Out is a skillful intertwining of facts, interviews and vignettes, ultimately coming together to form a picture of our country's current financial state."

Recent Updates

7/20/2008
Foreclosures and Short Sales, Equal Ills
Is there a right way to lose your home? And is there any good reason to pay for "expert" advice on how best to do it?
7/14/2008
Judges, Attorneys Work to Stanch Foreclosures
As actions surge, so do dismissals, mediation orders.
6/22/2008
Chase Bank N.A. v. Vincent L. Leggio, Court of Appeal, Second Circuit, State of Louisiana, Civil Case, Docket Number 43,567-CA
Download File
NACA is concerned about the increasing use of private, secret arbitration proceedings before the National Arbitration Forum (NAF) to collect consumer debts. In this particular case, NACA is concerned with the creditors practices of attempting to confirm NAF arbitration awards against Louisiana consumers who did not consent to arbitration-- including consumers who are the victims of identity theft or mistaken identity, and who do not owe the underlying debt.

Events

9/5/2008
NACA 2008 Mortgage Lending Litigation Conference
Register now for the Conference!