Arbitration is a private process where an arbitrator (not a judge or jury) decides your case, and decisions are usually final with very limited appeal rights. This removes your ability to use the public court system against Public.
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.
What you can do
⚠️ These actions may provide transparency or partial mitigation but may not fully address the underlying issue. Effectiveness varies by jurisdiction and individual circumstances.
Opt Out of Arbitration
Within 30 days
Send a written opt-out notice to support@public.com within 30 days of opening your account. Include your full name, account number, and a clear statement that you are opting out of the arbitration agreement.
Applicable agencies
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (cfpb)
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.