Author Archives: Allison Zieve

Education Department to implement improved customer service and enhanced protections for student loan borrowers

The U.S. Department of Education yesterday outlined a series of enhanced protections and customer service standards to guide the future of federal student loan servicing practices. The policies were outlined in a memorandum to Federal Student Aid (FSA) and developed in consultation with the Department of the Treasury and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The […]

Article on Department of Education’s “Borrower Defense to Repayment” rule for student loans

A Washington Post story today, entitled "Did your college mislead you about job prospects? It might become far easier to have your loans forgiven," explains: A little-known rule called Borrower Defense to Repayment, which is making its way through the regulatory process in Washington, initially was aimed at cracking down on the fraudulent behavior of […]

Recent announcements of DOJ’s Consumer Protection Branch

July 15, 2016 – District Court Enters Permanent Injunction Against Minnesota Food Manufacturer and Company’s Managers to Prevent Distribution of Adulterated Food Products July 12, 2016 – Residents of Three States Charged with Unlawful Sale of Dietary Supplements July 11, 2016 – Southern California Man Pleads Guilty for His Role as Sales Manager in Fraudulent […]

CFPB Orders Santander Bank to Pay $10 Million Fine for Illegal Overdraft Practices

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced yesterday that it has ordered Santander Bank, N.A. to pay a $10 million fine for illegal overdraft service practices. Santander’s telemarketing vendor deceptively marketed the overdraft service and signed certain bank customers up for the service without their consent. In addition to paying the civil money penalty to the […]

New air travel law called “an amazing win for consumers”

The Washington Post reports: After months of debate over the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill, and at an apparent impasse over privatizing air traffic control, Congress has settled on a compromise — with some unexpected benefits for the average air traveler. The House and Senate have agreed on an extension that would fund the agency […]

“Road Seems Dark to You? New Tests Blame Your Headlights”

Of the dozens of vehicles — small S.U.V.s and midsize cars — whose headlights the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has tested this year, only one has been rated “good.” That was a 2016 Toyota Prius V. The best any others could muster was merely “acceptable,’’ and many fared much worse. There’s at least one […]

Traffic safety laws improve safety

Data compiled by the Auto Insurance Center shows that in states with tougher driving laws, fewer motorists die in auto accidents. Comparing speed limits, teen driving restrictions, and seat belt laws in the states, the Auto Insurance Center found a direct relationship between tougher laws and fewer deaths. To explore whether states with stricter laws […]

Senate Democrats press regulators to prevent another Trump U

The Washington Post reports today: Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and other Senate Democrats are calling on federal regulators to step up efforts to protect consumers from educational programs that engage in fraud and deceptive marketing, in light of the ongoing case against Trump University. In a letter sent Wednesday to the heads of the Federal Trade Commission, […]