Archive for May, 2021

Massachusetts AG Reaches Settlement with Bank to Provide Student Loan Debt Relief

On May 28, 2021, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healy (Massachusetts​ AG) announced a settlement with a bank, acting as an agent for lenders, which requires the bank to permanently discharge debts and return payments made by certain former students of a regional for-profit university.  The settlement requires the bank to refund over $30,000 in recent loan repayments made by certain Massachusetts borrowers…

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Massachusetts AG Announces Settlement with Auto Lender for Alleged Unfair and Deceptive Acts and Practices

O​n May 27, 2021, the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office (AG) announced that it had reached a settlement with a subprime auto lender resolving alleged violations of the state’s unfair and deceptive acts and practices law. The Massachusetts AG alleged that the auto lender, in connection with its purchase of auto retail installment sales contracts from…

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Auto Lender Enters Into Consent Order with CFPB

​On May 21, 2021, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced​ that it ​entered into a consent order​ and stipulation with​ a California-based company that services subprime auto loans originated by car dealers.​ According to the consent order and stipulation, the CFPB ​found that the company engaged in unfair acts or practices by charging interest on late payments related to loss damage waiver fees,…

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FTC Settles Claims with Student Loan Debt Relief Companies

Piggy Bank with a Graduation Cap

On May 17, 2021, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced​ a settlement​ with several student loan debt relief companies and their respective owners.  The settlement stems from a complaint filed in 2019, in which the FTC alleged the companies charged illegal upfront fees and led consumers to believe the fees​ were going towards consumers’ student loans in violation of Sections…

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CFPB and Debt Settlement Company Agree to Stipulated Final Judgment and Order

​On May 17, 2021, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced that it has entered​ into a stipulated judgment​ and order​ to resolve a civil action that it previously filed against a debt settlement company in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts on December 1, 2020, as previously reported he​​re. ​The CFPB initially filed suit against the debt settlement company…

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CFPB Sends Notification Letters to Landlords Regarding COVID-19 Evictions

On May 3, 2021, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sent notification letters reminding the nation’s largest apartment landlords of federal protections in place to keep tenants in their homes and stop the spread of COVID-19.   The Notification Letter points to the Centers for Disease…

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FDIC Announces $1.8 Million Settlement with Oregon-Based Bank

​On May 10, 2021, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) announced​ a settlement with an Oregon-based bank concerning the bank’s alleged violations of Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (FTC Act), 15 U.S.C. § 45(a)(1).  Under the settlement, the bank stipulated to the issuance of an order​ to pay a civil money penalty of $1.8 million. The FDIC…

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