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• Shop around before you borrow or arrange credit. 

• BMA-Free Credit Cards:  Many credit cards issued by national banks have BMA clauses.  Choose one that does not, and if you already have a credit card that requires BMA, consider closing it and transferring your outstanding balance to a card that does not have one: 
• AARP credit cards do not have these clauses.
• Most credit union credit cards do not have these clauses.
• Some small bank credit cards do not have these clauses.

When you close your account, send a short letter explaining that your tax dollars support a civil justice system and that mandatory binding arbitration is unnecessary. See http://www.givemebackmyrights.com/docs/CloseAccount.doc

• Vehicle Purchases: 
• Read the Ten Tips for Car Buyers at http://www.callbeforeyoubuy.com/bma-10tips.htm
• Call the dealership before you buy to find one that does not require BMA. Be willing to walk away from a dealer who insists on BMA in the loan or sales contract.
  
• Home Mortgages:
• Do not deal with home lenders who require BMA clauses!
• One tip:  Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae do not allow BMA clauses. Many credit unions also do not permit them.
  
• Other Creditors and Service Providers:
• Use our downloadable “bill stuffer” to try to repudiate an existing BMA at

http://www.givemebackmyrights.com/docs/StatementStuffer.doc

2)   Speak Up and Take Action!

Write your member of Congress:

• Today, write your congressperson and senator personal letters opposing BMA in consumer, employment, and franchisee contracts. A personal letter is a powerful statement.
• Ask them to help sponsor legislation to protect you from these abusive clauses.  Check our Web site for developments at: www.givemebackmyrights.com.

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