In Modica v. Green Tree Servicing, LLC, the Northern District of Illinois limited the scope of what constitutes an Automatic Telephone Dialing System (ATDS) under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. Judge Zagel found that a system requiring an agent to manually access a consumer’s telephone number from a computer server and then “click” to
Ethan G. Ostroff
Ethan’s practice focuses on financial services litigation and compliance counseling, as well as digital assets and blockchain technology. With a long track record of successful litigation results across the U.S., both bank and non-bank clients rely on him for comprehensive advice throughout their business cycle.
CFPB Director Cordray Addresses “Serious Misunderstanding” About Three-Day Requirement, Reiterates CFPB Will Not Voluntarily Change August 1 Effective Date for TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure Rule
In a speech made on May 12 to the National Association of Realtors, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Richard Cordray addressed questions surrounding the three-day requirement of the TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure Rule (“TRID”) and said it “should not interfere with a successful closing, as some have claimed. In fact, there has been some serious misunderstanding …
CFPB Extends CARD Act Comment Period Regarding Four Areas of Interest
As we discussed in March, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is soliciting public comment on how the credit card market is functioning and the impact of credit card protections on consumers and issuers.
To allow interested persons additional time to consider and submit their responses, the CFPB announced it is extending the comment period on…
CFPB Updates Examination Procedures For TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosures
On May 4, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau revised its mortgage origination examination procedures to provide guidance on how it will conduct compliance exams for the TILA-RESPA integrated disclosures that become effective on August 1, 2015.
The CFPB has revised version 2.0 of its Supervision and Examination Manual numerous times since it was released on…
CFPB Refuses to Delay Enforcement of TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure Rule; Pending Legislation Would Provide Safe Harbor Through End of 2015
In an April letter to Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-Mo.), the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau refused to provide a grace period for enforcement of the TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure Rule (“the Integrated Disclosure Rule”), which has an effective date of August 1, 2015.
Director Richard Cordray’s letter provides information about the CFPB’s work to support implementation of…
Bipartisan Bill Would Curb CFPB Authority on Auto Financing
On April 13, 2015, a bipartisan group of 34 members of the United States House of Representatives introduced a bill that would repeal a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) bulletin from 2013 challenging a common practice in the indirect auto finance industry where automobile dealers would set interest rates on consumer financings.
The bill, entitled…
Indiana and Pennsylvania District Courts Hold That Filing Proofs of Claim on Time-Barred Debt Does Not Violate FDCPA
Authored by Alexandria J. Reyes and Benjamin R. Carlsen
Two federal district courts have dismissed lawsuits filed against debt collectors, holding that filing proofs of claim in a bankruptcy case on debt subject to a statute of limitations defense is not actionable under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
FTC and New York Attorney General Erich Schneiderman Announce June Meeting with Debt Collection Industry
On April 23, the Federal Trade Commission and the Office of the New York Attorney General announced they will host a “dialogue” to discuss consumer protection issues with the debt collection industry, including recent enforcement actions, consumer complaints about debt collection practices, and compliance issues.
The first “Debt Collection Dialogue” in Buffalo, New York will…
House Adopts Bill Requiring CFPB to Obtain Input From Advisory Boards, Caps Future Funding
On April 22, the House of Representatives passed a bill requiring the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to solicit input from several advisory boards and to cap the CFPB’s future funding.
H.R. 1195, the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection Advisory Boards Act, was adopted in a 235-183 vote, after a House committee earlier adopted…
Yonkers Enacts New Debt Collection Requirements
The city of Yonkers, New York, enacted General Ordinance No. 16-2014 to amend its Consumer Protection Code (“Code”) by adding new requirements for debt buyers and collection agencies. The revised Code includes the following sections: definitions, license requirements, required collection practices, prohibited collection practices, and penalties for non-compliance. The new Code requirements became effective on…