On April 30, 2025, the FTC filed an amended complaint and final order in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia against a debt collection company in connection with allegations that the company engaged in deception and coercion to pressure consumers into paying debts they did not owe, in violation of the FTC Act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), Regulation F, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA), and the FTC’s Impersonation Rule.Continue Reading FTC Imposed $9.6 Million Judgement Against Debt Collector for Alleged Threats and Phantom Debt

On May 1, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois ordered the former owner of a now-defunct debt-relief company to pay over $43 million in restitution and penalties.  The order resolves a lawsuit filed by the CFPB in 2020 alleging violations of the Consumer Financial Protection Act (CFPA) and the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR). Continue Reading CFPB Orders Defunct Debt-Relief Company to Pay $43 Million for Alleged Student Loan Abuses 

On April 18, the FDIC announced a consent order against a Delaware-based bank alleging that the bank engaged in unsafe and unsound banking practices and violated various federal consumer protection laws, including Section 5 of the FTC Act, the Truth in Lending Act (TILA), and the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). Continue Reading FDIC Orders Bank to Pay $1.225 Billion for Alleged Interchange Fee Misclassification 

The CFPB recently dropped two more lawsuits it brought under the Chopra administration—one involving a student loan securitization trust and the other regarding a subprime auto finance company. Both lawsuits included allegations of unfair, deceptive, or abusive practices (UDAAPs) in violation of the Consumer Financial Protection Act. Continue Reading CFPB Dismisses Two Actions Against Student Loan Trusts and Subprime Auto Lender 

On April 17, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced that the state has filed a lawsuit against a wholesale mortgage lender, alleging that the company engaged in a statewide scheme to mislead borrowers and inflate mortgage costs through deceptive broker steering practices. The AG’s office is seeking a jury trial on all claims.Continue Reading Ohio AG Sues Mortgage Lender for Illegal Broker Steering Scheme

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has taken two significant deregulatory steps affecting its oversight of the government-sponsored enterprises, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (GSEs). The agency rescinded a 2024 advisory bulletin asserting its authority to regulate unfair or deceptive acts or practices (UDAP) by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Additionally, the FHFA withdrew renter protection requirements—previously scheduled to take effect on May 31—for multifamily loans made through Special Purpose Credit Programs (SPCPs) backed by the GSEs.Continue Reading FHFA Rescinds UDAP Oversight Bulletin and SPCP-Based Renter Protections

On January 17, the Pennsylvania Attorney General filed a civil enforcement action in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against a group of mortgage brokers and their manager, alleging that they operated an unlawful referral scheme in violation of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), the Consumer Financial Protection Act (CFPA), and Pennsylvania’s Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law.Continue Reading Pennsylvania AG Alleges Mortgage Brokers Engaged in Illegal Referral Scheme

On March 27, the FTC announced that a fintech company offering cash advances through a mobile app has agreed to pay $17 million to resolve allegations that it violated the FTC Act and the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act (ROSCA). The FTC alleged that the company misrepresented the availability and cost of its services and failed to obtain consumers’ express informed consent before charging recurring subscription fees.Continue Reading FTC Orders Fintech Company to Pay $17 Million for Allegedly Deceptive Subscription Practices

On March 13, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the introduction of the Fostering Affordability and Integrity through Reasonable Business Practices Act (FAIR Business Practices Act). The proposed legislation seeks to extend the state’s existing ban on deceptive business practices to also prohibit unfair and abusive practices, aligning New York with 42 other states. Continue Reading New York Attorney General Proposes Bill to Expand Consumer Protection Law 

On March 3, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell announced new regulations, issued under the Massachusetts Consumer Protection Act, aimed at curbing “junk fees” by requiring businesses to disclose total prices upfront and provide clear information about additional charges. The regulations, set to take effect September 2, 2025, seek to prevent deceptive pricing practices and enhance consumer transparency.Continue Reading Massachusetts AG Issues New Regulations Targeting Junk Fees