LOS ANGELES – A Los Angeles County man is accusing a bank of falsely advertising a service.
Edgar Wolff filed a complaint individually and on behalf of other members of the general public similarly situated on Feb. 24 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California against HSBC Bank USA NA alleging violation of the Unfair Competition Law.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges the defendant falsely advertises that it would provide premier bank account customers funds for referrals. The plaintiff alleges that he was enticed by the defendant to open a premier account with its bank, which a required $10,000 as minimum balance, in exchange for a referral fund of $100. The defendant allegedly refused to award the said referral fee to the plaintiff despite meeting all the promotion requirements.
The plaintiffs hold HSBC Bank USA NA responsible because the defendant allegedly failed to provide an opportunity for plaintiffs to review the accurate description of what was being offered, and deceived plaintiff and other class members by offering incentives without any intention of providing them.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seek judgment against defendant, order certifying class, appoint representative and counsel, corrective advertising, actual damages or full restitution, punitive and statutory damages, attorneys’ fees, costs, interest, and other relief as may be justly entitled. He is represented by Todd M. Friedman and Adrian R. Bacon of Law Offices of Todd M. Friedman PC in Woodland Hills.
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California Case number 2:17-cv-01552