Author Archives: Allison Zieve

CFPB proposes to delay debt-collection rules

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau today proposed extending the effective date of two debt-collection rules that were finalized in 2020 and currently go into effect in November 2021. The CFPB proposes the delay to give affected parties more time to comply due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The proposal is here. One of the two […]

Warning to service members and veterans about paycheck advance apps and easy credit

Mike Saunders, director of military and consumer policy at Veterans Education Success, warns in Millitary.com today that service members and veterans need to be wary of new forms of credit-like products that have popped up in recent years, especially "paycheck advance" products and Income Share Agreements. He explains that current legal protections may not cover […]

CFPB submits 2020 report to Congress on the FDCPA

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released the 2020 annual report to Congress on administration of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. According to the CFPB press release, "the report highlights efforts by the CFPB and the Federal Trade Commission to protect consumers, particularly those who have suffered profound financial impacts due to the COVID-19 pandemic." […]

Department of Education to cancel approx. $1 billion in student-loan debt

Department of Education has announced that it will forgive the student-loan debt of borrowers whose borrower-defense claims have already been approved. The announcement is here. Under the law, students who attended schools that misled them or engaged in other misconduct in violation of certain state laws are eligible for borrower defense to loan repayment forgiveness, […]

CFPB: Discrimination by lenders on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity is illegal

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau today issued an interpretive rule clarifying that the prohibition against sex discrimination under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Regulation B includes sexual orientation discrimination and gender identity discrimination. This prohibition also covers discrimination based on actual or perceived nonconformity with traditional sex- or gender-based stereotypes, and discrimination based on […]

CFPB report: More than 11 million families at risk of losing housing

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau last week issued a report warning that, without additional action, widespread evictions and foreclosures will occur after federal, state, and local pandemic protections come to an end. The report finds that more than 11 million families are behind on their rent or mortgage payments: 2.1 million families are behind at […]

CFPB and VA, MA, and NY challenge predatory immigrant-services scam

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Virginia, Massachusetts, and New York today sued a company called Libre by Nexus, Inc. and its owners for a predatory immigrant-services scam that traps victims into paying expensive, long-term fees. The complaint alleges that Libre preys on immigrants, primarily Hispanics, who speak little or no English and are being held […]

In time for Valentine’s Day, FTC data show massive increase in romance scams

More consumers than ever report falling prey to romance scammers, according to new Federal Trade Commission data that show consumers reported losing a record $304 million to the scams last year. A newly released data spotlight shows that the amount consumers reported losing to romance scammers is up about 50 percent since 2019, and has increased […]