If Public's platform has a technical failure that causes you to miss a trade or lose money, the amount you can recover from them is severely limited regardless of the actual harm you suffered.
Consumer impact
By agreeing to Public.com's Terms of Service, users waive their right to sue the company in court or participate in class action lawsuits, and instead must resolve disputes through binding individual arbitration. Public retains broad discretion to suspend or terminate accounts, modify services, and limit its own financial liability to users. You can opt out of the mandatory arbitration clause by sending written notice to Public within 30 days of first creating your account.
Applicable agencies
Securities And Exchange Commission (sec)
Regulates securities markets and investment platforms. Can investigate broker-dealers, investment advisers, and trading platforms for violations of securities laws.
Who can file: Anyone with knowledge of a possible securities law violation
What you need: Description of the potential violation, names of individuals or companies involved, relevant dates, and any supporting documents or evidence
What to expect: Tips are reviewed by SEC staff. The SEC may open an investigation but is not required to take action on every tip. Whistleblowers may be eligible for financial awards if the tip leads to enforcement.
Regulates consumer financial products and services. Can investigate companies for unfair, deceptive, or abusive financial practices including improper fees, billing errors, and data misuse.
Who can file: Anyone who has used a consumer financial product or service in the US
What you need: Account number or details, dates of transactions or events, description of the issue, and any supporting documents
What to expect: The company must respond within 15 days. The CFPB forwards your complaint and may use it in enforcement actions. Individual compensation is possible in some cases.