A recent CFPB blog post warning Native Americans receiving payments from the settlement in Cobell v. Salazar that they could be targeted by scammers also highlights the CFPB’s collaboration with tribal governments.

In the post, the CFPB indicates that its “enforcement team will continue to be on the watch for scams and other harmful financial products that target Native Americans” and directs consumers and tribal leaders to “[r]eport problems with payday loans, settlement anticipation loans, auto loans, or anything bought with credit.” The CFPB describes its response to the Cobell settlement as “one part of our broader ongoing collaboration with tribal governments and consumers across Indian Country.”

Although not mentioned in the CFPB blog post, it is possible the CFPB will flex its muscles by putting pressure on tribes to cease their collaboration with non-tribal entities in making payday loans over the Internet to borrowers residing in states that do not allow payday lending at the interest rates being charged.  During a public hearing conducted last year in Birmingham, Alabama regarding payday lending, the Colorado Attorney General implored the CFPB to do something to curb these types of Internet payday lending programs.