The FTC has just issued its annual report, the Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book, aggregating data on the 2.68 million consumer complaints that it received in 2017. This number is down from a peak in consumer complaints during 2015 – 3.04 million complaints – and last year’s total of 2.98 million.
According to the FTC’s
In a decision of far-reaching importance, a Virginia trial court recently ruled – twice – that small loan companies are exempt from regulation under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act (“VCPA”).
In its original ruling, handed down in late January, the Circuit Court for the City of Richmond rejected the position of the Virginia Attorney General’s
On November 15, as has been widely reported, the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Richard Cordray, announced by email to his staff that he would be resigning at the end of the month. While he did not state the reason for his departure, it is believed that Cordray, a former Ohio attorney general,
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced two settlements with motor vehicle dealer groups that provide for over $900,000 in restitution to approximately 6,400 New York State consumers. The settlements also require the dealers to pay $135,000 in penalties and costs to the state for the unlawful sale of credit repair and identity theft protection
The Federal Trade Commission, along with 11 states and the District of Columbia, just announced “Operation Game of Loans.” This is the first coordinated federal-state initiative targeting deceptive student loan debt relief scams. The nationwide crackdown encompasses 36 actions by the FTC and state attorneys general against bad actors that are alleged to
Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced updated legislation that will remove fees for security freezes and consumer credit reports. The new legislation (SB 130/HB 134) includes several pro-consumer changes:
In response to the nationwide opioid crisis, forty-one state attorneys general issued subpoenas to five opioid drug manufacturers and three drug distributors this week. New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman made the first public announcement of the multistate investigation. The subpoena demands information and documentation from the manufacturers and distributors regarding prescription opioid drugs as
On June 2, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi announced a settlement with a Jacksonville car dealership, its financing arm, and its president related to allegations that the dealership engaged in misleading business and sales practices. The consent agreement, filed in the Circuit Court of the Fourth Judicial Circuit for Duval County, Florida, requires the dealership
On May 23, state attorneys general from 47 states and the District of Columbia announced a settlement agreement with Target Corporation to resolve the states’ investigation into the company’s 2013 data breach. Under the terms of the Assurance of Voluntary Compliance (“AVC”), Target will pay $18.5 million to the states – the largest multistate data
On November 4, 2015, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), 47 State Attorneys General, and other state and local law enforcement authorities from around the country announced the first coordinated federal-state enforcement initiative targeting deceptive and abusive debt collection practices. The initiative, named Operation Collection Protection, aims to crackdown on collectors who use illegal tactics