Press Release Archive

2016

July

29

• Consumers get the last word on complaints (Consumer Action applauds CFPB’s latest move to improve its complaint system). The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is adding a five star system ratings scale to its complaint process to give consumers an efficient way to

28

• CFPB proposes to strengthen debt collection rules (Consumer Action says proposal is step in right direction). July 28, 2016—The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau today released its proposed rules to limit debt collection abuses by third-party debt collectors and others covered by

21

• CFPB celebrates its fifth anniversary. Consumer Action's statement on the CFPB after five years

June

03

• Payday, car title loan rule could save U.S. consumers millions (Rule proposes regulating predatory lending that traps consumers in a cycle of debt ). The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) unveils new proposed rule to rein in payday and car title lending.

May

26

• Fair treatment for homeowners with limited English proficiency. Consumer Action, Americans for Financial Reform and coalition partners urge regulators, in a newly released paper, to make it easier for limited English proficiency (LEP)

18

• Congress debates consumers' right to a fair trial (Congress asks: Should consumers be able to hold corporations accountable when they break the law?). WASHINGTON, DC—Today, the U.S. House Financial Services Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit will hold a hearing to consider whether the

05

• Financial firms can’t stop you from joining class action lawsuits (Consumers will be able to join together to hold corporations accountable when they break the law). The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's rule would limit the financial industry’s use of forced arbitration—an abusive practice in which corporations bury “ripoff clauses” in the fine print of take- it-or-leave-it contracts to block consumers from challenging predatory practices such as hidden fees, fraud and other illegal behavior.

April

07

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, we've got your back! (Advocates stand with the CFPB as Senate Banking Committee prepares to grill Bureau's director). Consumer advocates rally behind Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Richard Cordray as he delivers the Bureau's Semi-Annual Report to the Senate Banking Committee. Consumer Action and its allies fear a reprise of the March 16 House Financial Services Committee hearing, which turned ugly as CFPB foes grilled Cordray about the agency.

January

20

• Poll shows strong support for regulation of paid tax preparers. A coalition of consumer and community organizations and advocates draws attention to the findings of a national poll that demonstrates broad public support for new consumer protections to prevent errors and fraud during the tax preparation process.

• Groups call for safe data practices, enforcement by FCC. WASHINGTON, DC—Today, 59 U.S. consumer advocacy, privacy and digital rights organizations submitted a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler calling for

07

• Consumer Action and CreditBridge Collaboration: Credit Scores in the U.S. (A guide for students, immigrants and savvy consumers). Consumer Action has partnered with CreditBridge, a New York-based financial technology company, to release a fact sheet about credit in the U.S. for the benefit of newcomers, visitors and students.

2015

December

16

• Correcting and protecting your credit record (Consumer Action’s newsletter releases credit reporting updates, tips for consumers). In its latest issue of Consumer Action News (bit.ly/credit_reports_issue), Consumer Action explains the only way to prevent new account fraud, and updates consumers on improvements in reporting medical debt and resolving credit report errors.

October

07

• CFPB sees value in protecting consumers’ right to collective redress. Consumer Action applauds the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFBP) for considering a prohibition on “class action bans” in consumer contracts.

September

22

• Consumer Action and Visa team up for Veterans Financial Coalition training programs. Consumer Action is joining the Veterans Financial Coalition in a new training series titled Economic survival guide for service members and veterans.

July

21

• CFPB goes to bat for consumers and hits a homerun (The consumer watchdog agency celebrates its 4th anniversary). In only four years, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has returned more $10 billion to more than 17 million consumers in the areas of debt collection,

June

25

• Consumers gain access to the 'heart' of CFPB complaints. Consumers now have a critical tool with which to educate and empower themselves in the financial marketplace. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB)

March

19

• Consumers gain access to firsthand complaint information through the CFPB. Consumer advocates applaud the CFPB for the major step it takes today to empower consumers in the marketplace. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will add

January

13

• Consumer groups present 'A Robust Agenda for Consumers'. Eight of the nation’s leading consumer organizations called on President Obama and lawmakers to help “level the playing field for consumers” by supporting a comprehensive agenda for consumer rights during the 114th Congress.

2014

November

18

• Specialty reports: Detailed dossiers that may determine your financial future (Consumer Action releases Insider’s Guide to Specialty Consumer Reports). Consumer Action has compiled information for consumers about "specialty consumer reports.” Like credit reports, these specialized consumer reports compile details about individuals to help companies predict a customer’s risk level to a business. But the existence of these “specialty” reports is not well known among consumers, who stand to lose the most if the reports contain errors or omissions.

July

16

• Kudos to the CFPB on public complaint proposal. Consumer Action applauds a proposal by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to allow consumers to opt to publicize details of their consumer complaints.

June

25

• New coalition forms to serve transitioning vets’ financial needs (Veterans Financial Coalition educates and advocates on behalf of military returning to civilian life). Washington, DC—A diverse group of organizations today announced the formation of a new coalition to address the needs and unique financial challenges military

February

12

• Consumer Action offers new Class Action Database (Free service keeps consumers apprised of notable cases and settlements). Our new Class Action Database allows consumers to see upcoming claims deadlines and to click through to official class action materials and settlement information.

2013

October

11

• Government shutdown's impact on consumer protection (Letter urges members of Congress to find resolution ). WASHINGTON, DC – A coalition of leading consumer groups today sent a letter to Members of Congress calling out the lapses in consumer protection caused

July

16

• Consumers score a big win at the CFPB. Senate confirmation of Richard Cordray as director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is good news for American consumers, said Consumer Action, which has worked

February

01

• Consumer groups call on President and Congress to pursue strong consumer agenda. WASHINGTON, D.C. - In joint letters to President Obama and Congressional leaders, eight of the nation’s leading consumer organizations urged policymakers to