Author Archives: Allison Zieve

CFPB reports on illegal practices uncovered in 2015

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has released its latest supervision report outlining the illegal practices uncovered by the CFPB in the first four months of 2015. It found problems with • dual-tracking at mortgage servicers that could mislead consumers to believe their trial modifications were canceled, • lack of quality control measures at consumer reporting […]

FCC ruling addresses robo-calls to cellphones

Interpreting the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, the Federal Communications Commission on Thursday issued a ruling addressing robocalls made to cell phones. The FCC's ruling provide: • Service providers can offer robocall-blocking technologies to consumers and implement market-based solutions that consumers can use to stop unwanted robocalls. • Consumers have the right to revoke their consent […]

FCC to help low-income families pay for Internet access

The Washington Post reports today: Major upgrades are coming to a federal aid program that helps low-income Americans connect to basic communications services. The Federal Communications Commission voted Thursday to consider how to allow eligible Americans to purchase Internet access using government funds, in a move that recognizes high-speed Internet as a key to pulling the poor out […]

CFPB sues auto loan company for illegal debt collection tactics against servicemembers

Alleging that auto loan company Security National Automotive Acceptance Company misled servicemembers about the consequences of nonpayment, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau yesterday filed suit against the company in federal court in Ohio. The CFPB alleges that the company used a combination of illegal threats and deceptive claims to collect debts. The suit seeks compensation […]

FCC to fine AT&T Mobility $100M for misleading consumers about data plans

The Federal Communications Commission plans to fine AT&T Mobility $100,000,000 for misleading its customers about unlimited mobile data plans. The FCC’s investigation alleges that AT&T severely slowed down the data speeds for customers with unlimited data plans and that the company failed to adequately notify its customers that they could receive speeds slower than the […]

FDA to use patient-generated reports to evaluate drug safety

The Washington Post reports today: [I]n an effort to get a fuller understanding of side effects of certain medicines, the FDA is partnering with a networking forum called PatientsLikeMe, which allows people with the same disease or condition to connect with others and share their experiences. The site, among the largest of its kind, has more than 350,000 […]

NYT editorial on abusive car loans

A New York Times editorial yesterday encouraged that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau use its enforcement powers to put an end to abusive car loans. The editorial begins: Auto loans have long been a bastion of predatory lending and racial discrimination. Until the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was established, auto lending by banks was […]