On May 17, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced a settlement with DMB Financial LLC, a Massachusetts-based debt-settlement company.
Senate Committee Advances Big Tech Critic Lina Khan’s Nomination to the FTC
On May 12, the Senate Commerce Committee voted overwhelmingly to move forward with Lina Khan’s nomination to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which suggest that Khan is likely to be confirmed as an FTC commissioner by the full Senate. Khan has been a critic of big tech and advocate of competitive markets, as we previously discussed here.
FTC Requests Congress to Restore Consumer Redress After AMG Capital Management Decision
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is acting swiftly to restore its authority to obtain consumer redress under Section 13(b) of the FTC Act after the Supreme Court’s recent decision in AMG Capital Management, LLC v. FTC, discussed in our blog post here, rejecting the agency’s longstanding position that Section 13(b) authorizes monetary remedies.
Unanimous Court Cuts FTC’s Power to Seek Monetary Redress
Additional authors: Robin P. Sumner and Samuel D. Harrison
On April 22 the Supreme Court held in AMG Capital Management, LLC v. FTC[1] that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) does not have authority under the Federal Trade Commission Act Section 13(b) to seek, nor a court to award, equitable monetary relief, such as restitution
CFPB Squeezes SettleIt for $1.4 Million, Citing “Abusive” Practices
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and SettleIt, Inc., an online debt-settlement company, have agreed to settle “abusiveness” claims for $1.4 million.
In an April 13 complaint filed in a California federal court, the CFPB detailed SettleIt’s business practices and alleged SettleIt concealed information from its customers. SettleIt negotiates with creditors to reduce and settle
The FTC Takes Down Beam Financial Mobile Banking App
Beam Financial, Inc. (Beam), a mobile banking app, will be banned from offering any service that may be used to deposit, store, or withdraw funds, and must give a full refund to users as part of a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). It also is prohibited from misrepresenting the interest rates, restrictions, and
The FTC Reflects on a Busy Year
On March 25, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC or Commission) released an article reflecting on its work in 2020. The following are some of the most notable actions of the FTC in 2020:
- The Commission launched a new website, where consumers can report scams and frauds.
- A new initiative, called the Community Advocate Center,
Biden to Nominate Big Tech Critic Lina Khan to Serve as an FTC Commissioner
On March 22, President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate Lina Khan to be a commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Khan is an outspoken critic of big tech and a former legal advisor to FTC Commissioner Rohit Chopra, Biden’s nominee to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Khan’s anticipated nomination again
CFPB Alleges Third-Party Payment Processor Ignored Merchant Fraud
On March 3, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) filed a complaint in the Northern District of Illinois against a third-party payment processor, BrightSpeed Solutions, Inc., and its founder and former CEO Kevin Howard. The CFPB’s complaint alleges that the defendants violated the Consumer Financial Protection Act (CFPA) and the Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and
Fintechs Beware! The CFPB is Monitoring You Closely
On March 18, Opportunity Financial, Inc. (OppFi) — a Chicago-based platform lender — announced that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is investigating its compliance with the Military Lending Act. The announcement — coupled with several others like it in recent months — confirms that the CFPB is closely monitoring fintechs.
OppFi is a consumer