CFPB: New Bulletin Issued to Prevent Unlawful Medical Debt Collection and Credit Reporting
New Law Limits Surprise Medical Bills The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today released a bulletin reminding debt collectors and credit bureaus of their legal obligations in light of the No Surprises Act, which protects consumers from certain unexpected medical bills. Companies that try to collect on medical bills that are prohibited by the No…
CFPB: New Report Released Detailing Consumer Complaint Response Deficiencies of the Big Three Credit Bureaus
Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion routinely failed to fully respond to consumers with errors A new analysis by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) reveals how changes in complaint responses provided by nationwide consumer reporting companies resulted in fewer meaningful responses and less consumer relief. In 2021, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion together reported relief in response…
CFPB: Action Taken to Stop False Identification in Background Screens by Consumer Reporting Companies
Mistaken identity matching undermines housing and labor market recoveries The CFPB today issued an advisory opinion affirming that consumer reporting companies, including tenant and employment screening companies, are violating the law if they engage in shoddy name-matching procedures. Regulators are concerned about the significant harms caused by false identity matching, where an applicant is disqualified…
CFPB: New Research Finds Credit Report Disputes Far More Common in Majority Black and Hispanic Neighborhoods
Report Provides Additional Insight into Previously Observed Trends The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today released research finding that consumers in majority Black and Hispanic neighborhoods, as well as younger consumers and those with low credit scores, are far more likely to have disputes appear on their credit reports. The new research is a part…
CFPB: As Federal Eviction Protections Come to an End, Agency Warns Landlords and Consumer Reporting Agenices to Report Rental Information Accurately
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today released an Enforcement compliance bulletin reminding landlords, consumer reporting agencies (CRAs), and others of their critical obligations to accurately report rental and eviction information. Inaccurate rental and eviction information on a tenant screening report or a credit report can unfairly block a family from safe and affordable housing….
ABA: Report Shows Consumer Credit Recovery Continued in Fourth Quarter of 2020
The consumer credit recovery continued in the fourth quarter of 2020, building off trends established last fall, according to the American Bankers Association’s latest quarterly Credit Card Market Monitor. Monthly purchase volumes improved across risk groups for the second consecutive quarter as the share of Revolvers (those who carry over a monthly balance) hit a…
CFPB: Final Rule Issued on Consumer Disclosures Related to Debt Collection
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Bureau) issued today a final rule to implement Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) requirements regarding certain disclosures for consumers. The rule requires debt collectors to provide, at the outset of collection communications, detailed disclosures about the consumer’s debt and rights in debt collection, along with information to help consumers…
CFPB: Final Rule Issued to Implement the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Bureau) today issued a final rule to restate and clarify prohibitions on harassment and abuse, false or misleading representations, and unfair practices by debt collectors when collecting consumer debt. The rule focuses on debt collection communications and gives consumers more control over how often and through what means debt collectors…
CFPB: Comment Period Extended on Ways to Prevent Credit Discrimintation and Build a More Inclusive Financial System
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Bureau) announced today that it will provide an additional 60 days for public comment on its Request for Information (RFI) on how best to create a regulatory environment that expands access to credit and ensures that all consumers and communities are protected from discrimination in all aspects of a credit…
CFPB: Credit Reporting Guidance During COVID-19 Pandemic Issued
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Bureau) today released a policy statement outlining the responsibility of credit reporting companies and furnishers during the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to the pandemic, many lenders are being flexible when it comes to consumers’ making payments. The Bureau’s statement underscores that consumers benefit if lenders report accurate information about these…