CFPB: New Guidance Issued to Address Investigation Practices by Consumer Reporting Agencies
When consumer reporting companies and furnishers fail to investigate disputed information, consumers are left paying higher interest rates and face greater difficulty finding housing, employment Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued a circular to affirm that neither consumer reporting companies nor information furnishers can skirt dispute investigation requirements. The circular outlines how federal…
FHFA: Validation of FICO 10T and Vantage Score 4.0 Announced for Use by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today announced the validation and approval of both the FICO 10T credit score model and the VantageScore 4.0 credit score model for use by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises). “Today’s decision will benefit borrowers and the Enterprises, along with maintaining safety and soundness,” said FHFA Director Sandra…
CFPB: Guidance Issued to Address Junk Data in Credit Reports
Effort seeks to address false information on the credit reports of children in foster care and the general public Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued guidance to consumer reporting companies about their obligation to screen for and eliminate obviously false “junk data” from consumers’ credit reports. Companies need to take steps to reliably…
CFPB: Analysis Published on Potential Impacts of Medical Debt Credit Reporting Changes
Removing Paid Collections Will Have Limited Benefit Across Consumer Groups Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) published an analysis of how actions announced by the three largest national consumer reporting companies – Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion – will affect people who have allegedly unpaid medical debt on their credit reports. Nearly half of those…
CFPB: Agency Affirms Ability for States to Police Credit Reporting Markets
The Fair Credit Reporting Act does not stop states from enacting laws to tackle credit reporting problems related to medical debt, tenant screening, and other consumer risks Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued an interpretive rule affirming states’ abilities to protect their residents through their own fair credit reporting laws. With limited preemption…
CFPB: New Final Rule Issued with Credit Reporting Protections to Aid Survivors of Human Trafficking
CFPB Helps Survivors Mitigate the Financial Consequences of Human Trafficking Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued a final rule to help survivors avoid some of the financial consequences of human trafficking. The CFPB has established, among other things, a method for survivors of trafficking to submit documentation to credit reporting companies that identifies…
CFPB: New Report Highlights Experience of Military Families with Medical Billing, Credit Reporting, and Debt Collection
Servicemembers and veterans report problems with coercive credit reporting and false medical bill collections Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) released its annual report on the top financial concerns facing servicemembers, veterans, and military families, based on the complaints they submitted to the CFPB. Servicemembers told the CFPB about billing inaccuracies and that debt…
CFPB: New Proposed Rule Seeks to Halt Negative Credit Reporting for Survivors of Human Trafficking
Proposed rule will aid survivors seeking to open bank accounts, access credit, and gain employment Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is using its rulemaking authority to propose that consumer reporting agencies (CRAs) do not prevent survivors of human trafficking from achieving financial independence. The proposed rule would protect survivors of human trafficking by…
CFPB: Annual List of Consumer Reporting Companies Released
Updated list names financial surveillance companies that people can use to access their own files and sue if they violate the Fair Credit Reporting Act Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) released its annual list of consumer reporting companies. The list identifies dozens of specialty reporting companies that collect and sell access to people’s data,…
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…