On March 10, Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring announced settlements with two Fredericksburg, Virginia pawnbrokers – Pawnking, LLC and All Star Pawn & Gold, LLC – over allegations the companies charged consumers illegal interest and fees in violation of Virginia’s pawnbroker statutes and the Virginia Consumer Protection Act. As part of the settlement, Pawnking and
Republicans Move to Roll Back CFPB Prepaid Card Rules
Republicans in Congress have moved to repeal recently issued Consumer Financial Protection Bureau regulations governing the prepaid card industry. Rep. Tom Graves (R-Ga.) introduced a bill in the House in early February that would submit the rules to a vote of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act. A
CFPB Asks FL District Court to Approve $107M Settlement
On February 24, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau asked a federal district court in Florida to approve a $107 million settlement to resolve claims against Orion Processing LLC. The Bureau alleged the bankrupt company engaged in a debt-relief scheme that cost consumers millions.
The CFPB filed suit against Orion in August
Virginia AG and CFPB Settle with Virginia Pawnbroker
In early February, Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced that the agencies had reached a settlement with Woodbridge Coins and Jewelry Exchange, Inc. d/b/a Woodbridge Gold & Pawn (“Woodbridge Pawn”) to provide $56,763.60 in refunds to approximately 1,000 consumers. The CFPB and the AG’s Office alleged that the business
Washington Court Orders 5-Hour Energy To Pay $4.3M For Deceptive Ads in AG Suit
On February 7, Living Essentials LLC and Innovative Ventures LLC, the makers of 5-Hour Energy were ordered to pay nearly $4.3 million in penalties and attorneys’ fees and costs after a Washington State court found the makers deceived consumers with misleading claims regarding things like the effectiveness of the flavored energy shots.
Living Essentials
FTC and NJ AG Announce Settlement with Vizio over Collecting Consumer Viewing Habits
On February 6, the FTC and the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General announced a $2.2 million settlement with Vizio, Inc. over allegations the TV manufacturer installed software on its TVs to collect viewing data on 11 million consumers without their knowledge or consent.
According to the complaint, Vizio manufactured smart
First Defendant Prosecuted Under New Arizona Telemarketing Law Pleads Guilty
On January 18, Lukeroy Rose, owner of Phoenix-based Rose Marketing LLC, pled guilty pursuant to a plea agreement to charges of theft, unlawful telephone solicitations, and conspiracy to commit theft. Rose was arrested in December 2016 pursuant to the newly amended Arizona Telephone Solicitations statute, Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 44-1277, which makes it a Class
CFPB Takes Action Against Law Firm Debt Collectors for Lack of Meaningful Involvement
On January 9, 2017, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) entered a Consent Order against Works & Lentz, Inc., Works & Lentz of Tulsa, Inc., two medical debt collection law firms, and their president, Harry A. Lentz, Jr., for the defendants’ violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and the Furnisher Rule (Regulation
TransUnion Agrees to Settlement with CFPB
Late last year, TransUnion agreed to pay approximately $17 million as part of a settlement with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in connection with TransUnion’s advertising and marketing practices. The settlement stems from a civil investigative demand that addressed TransUnion’s common industry practices relating to the advertising, marketing, and sale of consumer reports, credit scores,
CFPB and Dodd-Frank in Republicans’ Crosshairs
On February 3, President Trump signed an executive order directing the Treasury Secretary to review the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Trump earlier characterized Dodd-Frank as “a disaster” and said that his administration would work to cut “a lot out of” the 2010 law.
House Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-Tex.)