Household HSBC Watch

NEW YORK, Jan. 10, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) — The law firms of Kirby McInerney & Squire, LLP and Levy Angstreich Finney Baldante, Rubenstein & Coren, P.C. announce that the United States Supreme Court today denied defendants’ petition to review the certification of a nationwide class asserting federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO'’) claims against H&R Block, Inc. and Household International, Inc. (successor to Beneficial Corporation), now a subsidiary of HSBC Holdings PLC. The plaintiff class alleges that defendants, among other things, deceived customers seeking tax refunds into obtaining high interest loans.
Consumer advocates at Houshold - HSBC Watch said the move is another step in further RICO claims against Household including new claims possibly related to Shea v Household.