Two companion bills titled the “Consumer and Small Business Protection Act” have been introduced in the New York legislature would make sweeping changes to the provisions of the state’s general business law (Section 349) dealing with deceptive practices.  In addition to creating a new private right of action, the bills would greatly expand the powers of the New York attorney general. … Continue Reading

The California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) has issued proposed regulations implementing certain provisions of the state’s Consumer Financial Protection Law (CFPL).  Comments must be submitted by August 8, 2022.

The proposal includes provisions implementing the DFPI’s authority under the CFPL to issue and enforce rules defining unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices as they relate to “commercial financing,” as that term is defined in Cal.… Continue Reading

The Dodd-Frank Act gave the CFPB authority to regulate “unfair, deceptive, or abusive” acts or practices.  Republican Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer has introduced the “Unfair or Deceptive Acts or Practices Uniformity Act,” (H.R. 5112), which would remove the CFPB’s authority to regulate abusive acts or practices.

The bill would also prohibit the CFPB from taking any enforcement action to prevent covered persons or service providers from engaging in an unfair or deceptive act or practice (UDAP) unless the CFPB “first consults the covered person or service provider’s primary financial regulatory agency, if any.” … Continue Reading

Today, the CFPB entered a consent order that requires subprime credit card company, Continental Finance Company, LLC (“Continental”), to refund an estimated $2.7 million to consumers who were charged alleged illegal credit card fees. The consent order also imposes a civil penalty on Continental in the amount of $250,000.

In the consent order, the CFPB found that Continental required cardholders to pay fees during the credit card account’s first year that exceeded 25% of the account’s initial credit limit, in violation of the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure Act of 2009 (the “CARD Act”).… Continue Reading

A new lawsuit filed by the CFPB alleges that a Texas-based company, Union Workers Credit Services, deceived consumers into paying fees to sign up for a “platinum card” that purported to be a general-use credit card but, in actuality, could only be used to buy products from the company.  The CFPB’s complaint, filed in a Texas federal district court, seeks restitution for victims, a civil penalty, and an injunction against the company.… Continue Reading

The CFPB has issued a bulletin warning credit card issuers that offer certain promotional APRs of the risk that they may be engaging in deceptive and/or abusive acts or practices when making solicitations for such offers even if such solicitations are in compliance with Regulation Z.  

The bulletin focuses on promotional offers that allow consumers to transfer a credit card balance or make a purchase that will be subject to a zero or low APR for a stated time period. … Continue Reading

Lisa Madigan, Illinois Attorney General, recently filed a motion in a state court lawsuit against a for-profit college and its owners and operators seeking leave to further amend her complaint to add new counts alleging that the defendants’ practices were unfair and abusive under the federal Consumer Financial Protection Act (CFPA) (Title 10 of Dodd-Frank). … Continue Reading