Author Archives: Allison Zieve

Court enjoins California’s data-collection law

A federal judge has granted a request to block the California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act (CAADCA), a law that requires special data safeguards for underage users online. In a ruling, issued yesterday, the judge granted a preliminary injunction for tech industry group NetChoice, saying the law likely violates the First Amendment.The Verge has the story, […]

CFPB guidance on credit denials by lenders using AI

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has issued guidance about certain legal requirements that lenders must adhere to when using artificial intelligence and other complex models. The agency explains: “The guidance describes how lenders must use specific and accurate reasons when taking adverse actions against consumers. This means that creditors cannot simply use CFPB sample adverse […]

FTC and States to ban Roomster from using fake reviews

The Federal Trade Commission will permanently ban Roomster Corp. and its owners from buying or incentivizing consumer reviews as part of a settlement over charges that they bought fake reviews to entice consumers to pay for access to living arrangement listings that they claimed were verified, authentic, and available but often turned out to be […]

CFPB reaches multi-billion dollar settlement with credit repair companies

This week, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau entered into a proposed settlement with a ring of corporate entities operating some of the largest credit repair brands in the country, including Lexington Law and CreditRepair.com. The agreement follows a court ruling that the companies collected illegal advance fees for credit repair services through telemarketing in violation […]

FTC and DOJ send refunds to consumers who lost money to a student-loan debt-relief scheme

The Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice are sending a total of more than $9 million in refunds to 22,562 consumers who lost money to Ameritech Financial, a student-loan debt-relief scheme operated by Brandon Frere, who was convicted of criminal charges in connection with the scheme. Details are here.

FTC charges Experian with spamming consumers who signed up for accounts

In a complaint filed by the department of Justice on behalf of the Federal Trade Commission, the FTC says that California-based Experian Consumer Services, also known as ConsumerInfo.com, Inc., spammed consumers with marketing offers after they signed up for an account with the company in order to manage their Experian credit report information. In the […]

CFPB reports on unfair, deceptive, and abusive practices in consumer financial product lines

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has released a new Supervisory Highlights report describing unfair, deceptive, and abusive acts or practices across many consumer financial products. For example, auto lenders have originated loan balances above the real value of the car being purchased and engaged in illegal collection practices while servicing these loans. The latest edition […]

FTC claims process for consumers who purchased DreamCloud mattresses

The Federal Trade Commission has announced a claims process by which consumers who purchased a DreamCloud mattress and were influenced by the company’s claims that the product was made with U.S. materials can apply for a refund. Details are here.

CFPB reports on risks to workers from employer-driven debt

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau published today “a report highlighting the risks employer-driven debt poses to workers. After a review of responses to the CFPB’s public inquiry, the analysis describes the growing prevalence of employer-driven debt and challenges workers and consumers face when they become indebted to an employer or an employer’s affiliate as a […]