Shortchanged

Shortchanged exposes how America's "fringe economy"şthe booming industry of check cashers, payday lenders, pawnshops, and so onşthat prey on the poor and middle class.şThe first book to chronicle how the fringe economy ruthlessly and systematically exploits the poor and middle classesşThe number of people affected by the fringe economy is enormousşitşs not just poor immigrants, but working and middle class families who are affectedşAuthor provides both the hard facts and personal storiesşhas scores of shocking real-life examplesShortchanged takes a hard look at the corporate vultures that prey on Americaşs poor and middle classes. This şfringe economyşşmade up of pawnshops, payday lenders, check cashers, credit card companies and the likeşentices vulnerable consumers into an economic netherworld of high interest rates and ever-increasing debt. Powerful analysis is combined with moving personal stories of the mothers, fathers, and families whose lives have been put on the line for the perpetuation of this economy. Ruthless, compelling, outrageous, and often enraging, Shortchanged puts the spotlight on the shady side of Americaşs economic underbelly.