As we previously reported, several legal challenges to the Federal Communications Commission’s July 10, 2015 order (the “FCC Order”) interpreting the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 (“TCPA”) were consolidated with the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals as ACA International, et al. v. Federal Communications Commission et al. The challengers believe the
Senate Democrats Look to Roll Back Recent TCPA Exception
As we previously reported, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, which was passed by Congress and signed by President Obama on November 2, amended the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991. The TCPA limits the usage of automatic telephone dialing systems and artificial/prerecorded messages. The recent modification allowed an exception to TCPA restrictions for
CFPB Leaves Charge for Consumer File Disclosure Unchanged at $12
Section 612 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”) provides consumers with the opportunity for a free disclosure of their file, with certain exceptions, during any 12-month period. For file disclosures for which the FCRA allows consumer reporting agencies to charge, the statute sets the price of these disclosures at $8, subject to a yearly
The CFPB Issues Warning and Guidance on Obtaining Consumer Authorization for Preauthorized Electronic Funds Transfers that Confirms a Recording of a Consumer’s Oral Authorization Can Satisfy Regulation E’s Requirements
On November 24, 2015, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued a Compliance Bulletin (2015-06), warning companies that they must ensure that consumer authorization is obtained before automatically debiting a consumer’s account and that required notifications to consumers must clearly describe the terms of the preauthorized electronic funds transfers (EFTs).
Importantly, for the first
CFPB Once Again Extends Debt Collection Pre-Ruling Making Activity
On November 20, the CFPB once again released its latest rulemaking agenda update. The previous update, issued last May, extended debt collection rulemaking pre-rule activities from April 2015 until December 2015. This latest update extends debt collection pre-rule activities scheduled through February 2016.
In extending the pre-rulemaking period, the CFPB stated as follows:
The
CFPB Takes Action Against Online Lender for Deceiving Borrowers
On November 18, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau filed an administrative action against online lender Integrity Advance, LLC, and its CEO, James R. Carnes, for deceiving consumers about the cost of short-term loans.
According to a press release, the CFPB alleges that Integrity Advance violated the Truth in Lending Act and the
ALJ Delivers Blow to FTC’s Authority to Bring Data Breach Actions Under Unfairness Prong
On November 13, 2015, an administrative law judge dismissed the Federal Trade Commission’s action against LabMD, ruling the FTC failed to show that the laboratory’s alleged conduct caused or would cause harm to consumers. The decision represents a significant blow to the FTC and its ability to bring actions under the unfairness prong of Article
Budget Deal Adds Exception to TCPA for Government-Backed Loans
On November 2, President Obama signed a two-year budget deal recently passed by Congress, which generated considerable press because it averted legislative battles over the debt limit and a potential government shutdown, at least until 2017. Much less attention was paid to other provisions within the legislation, which includes a modification of the Telephone Consumer
Continued Debate Over Government Requests Demonstrated By Facebook’s Report
Despite the anti-American sentiments resulting from the Snowden revelations, governments from all over the world have been increasingly demanding data from social media companies. According to Facebook’s latest report on government requests, a growing number of governments are demanding that Facebook turn over data to aid law enforcement investigations. Ironically, other counties are increasingly stepping
Join Us for the Corporate Counsel Institute
We are pleased to announce that Troutman Sanders partner Ashley L. Taylor, Jr. will be a featured speaker on a panel entitled “State Attorneys General: Emerging Leaders in Consumer-Related Issues” at the Corporate Counsel Institute on Friday, December 11 in Atlanta.