Author Archives: Allison Zieve

Department of Education delays enforcement of rule on for-profit colleges

The Department of Education announced on  Monday that it will delay implementing new rules designed to punish career-training schools that leave students with high levels of debt but weak job prospects. The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) explains: The move delays new rules known as “gainful employment” that formed a key piece of former President […]

DC Circuit denies injunction pending appeal in Company Doe v CFPB

In January, a company calling itself "Company Doe" filed suit against the CFPB to challenge its constitutionality. The theory of the complaint was that, in light of the DC Circuit's (now vacated) decision in PHH v. CFPB finding the structure of the CFPB unconstitutional, the agency should be enjoined from taking any action against Company […]

FTC releases annual summary of consumer complaints

Imposter scam complaints surpassed identity theft for the first time as the second most common category of consumer complaints received by the Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Sentinel Network in 2016, according to the agency’s new Data Book. Although debt collection complaints declined slightly between 2015 and 2016, they remained the top consumer complaint category, comprising […]

CFPB report on credit reporting problems

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has released a report detailing the problems in the credit reporting industry that the CFPB uncovered and corrected through its oversight work. The report identifies significant issues with the quality of the credit information being provided by furnishers and maintained by credit reporting companies, and it outlines the actions that […]

“Cone of Silence on Enforcement News from U.S. Labor Department”

The online publication FairWarning has this story today about OSHA enforcement since January 20: In November, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced fines against businesses with workers who were killed when they were pulled into a wood chipper, burned in a refinery fire and crushed in collapsing grain bins and construction trenches. In […]

“Saving for retirement? Who’s working in your best interest?”

Washington Post columnist Michelle Singletary posts some questions and answers about the Department of Labor's "fiduciary rule." The rule is intended to ensure that financial professionals helping guide your retirement investments act in your best interest. The rule was finalized in 2016 and becomes applicable on April 10. The rule has been put on hold […]

“FTC, Maine Attorney General Shut Down Web of Deceptive Supplement Sellers”

The Federal Trade Commission and the Maine Office of the Attorney General announced three settlements with dietary supplement marketers who allegedly used radio infomercials deceptively formatted as talk shows and print ads featuring fictitious endorsers to advertise supplements purporting to improve memory and to reduce back and joint pain. The three court orders resolving charges […]

“Wells Fargo fires 4 executives over sham-accounts scandal”

The Washington Post reports today: Wells Fargo announced Tuesday that it had fired four executives as its board of directors nears completion of its investigations into sham accounts set up by employees to allegedly meet sales quotas. The four executives come from the megabank’s community banking division. They will not receive 2016 bonuses and will […]