In this special crossover episode of The Consumer Finance Podcast and Regulatory Oversight, Chris Willis, Stefanie Jackman, and Mike Yaghi discuss California Governor Gavin Newsom’s appointment of former CFPB Director Rohit Chopra to lead the state’s newly created Business and Consumer Services Agency (BCSA).

In this special crossover episode of Regulatory Oversight and The Consumer Finance Podcast, Chris Willis, Stefanie Jackman, and Mike Yaghi discuss California Governor Gavin Newsom’s appointment of former CFPB Director Rohit Chopra to lead the state’s newly created Business and Consumer Services Agency (BCSA).

On September 14, 2026, Massachusetts Attorney General (AG) Andrea Campbell announced a settlement with several debt buying and debt collection companies and their owner, resolving a lawsuit that accused them of seizing consumers’ cars to coerce payments on unrelated debts. The defendants are now permanently barred from buying or collecting on debts in the state, leaving them unable to recover approximately $52 million in alleged loans to more than 6,000 Massachusetts consumers.

On September 1, 2026, the New Jersey attorney general and Division of Consumer Affairs announced that Match Group, Inc. (MGI), the Texas-based operator of several major online dating platforms, will pay $650,000 and implement changes to its business practices to settle allegations that it violated New Jersey’s consumer protection and internet dating safety laws. The resulting consent order resolves an investigation into MGI’s disclosures related to criminal background screening, or lack thereof, to its New Jersey users. While the settlement’s implications are greatest for online dating services and the vendors they use to vet their users, all companies that make public representations about their criminal background screening and identity verification procedures should take heed.

  • Governor Gavin Newsom appointed former CFPB Director Rohit Chopra as inaugural secretary of California’s new Business and Consumer Services Agency (BCSA) on May 12, 2026, with the agency launching July 1, 2026.
  • The BCSA does not expand the DFPI’s statutory authority under the California Consumer Financial Protection Law (CCFPL), but Chopra’s role as
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The 2026 attorney general (AG) primary season has largely come to a close, and while the November general elections will ultimately determine the partisan composition of several key offices, the enforcement agenda is already well underway. State AGs have been active across a broad range of industries and issue areas in the first half of 2026 – and the activity shows no signs of slowing. From artificial intelligence (AI) and consumer financial services to privacy, marketing, and advertising, state AGs are filling enforcement gaps left by reduced federal activity and staking out independent regulatory ground. The following is an overview of the key areas where companies should expect continued and intensified state AG scrutiny through the remainder of the year, beginning with an update on the races that will shape the enforcement landscape heading into 2027.

In this episode of Payments Pros, host Keith Barnett examines a recent FTC enforcement action targeting an alleged unlawful subscription scheme involving 15 corporations and eight individuals operating through Cyprus- and Ukraine-based entities with access to U.S. payment rails. Keith discusses the FTC’s continued focus on deceptive advertising, undisclosed recurring charges, unauthorized billing, and burdensome cancellation practices, and explains why these issues carry significant implications for companies operating in the payments ecosystem. He walks through the FTC’s five-stage playbook allegations, including the failure to clearly disclose subscription terms, the use of engaging online tasks to drive purchases, and the deliberate obstruction of cancellation mechanisms. Keith also highlights the broad temporary restraining order agreed to by several defendants, covering asset freezes, foreign asset repatriation, customer data protections, and expedited discovery extending to third-party banks and payment processors. The episode closes with a reminder that the Trump-era FTC remains active and aggressive in the payments space, with businesses advised to prioritize clear disclosures, simple cancellation options, and strong BSA compliance practices.

In this episode of Payments Pros, host Keith Barnett examines a recent FTC enforcement action involving alleged violations of the FTC Act and ROSCA. Keith discusses the FTC’s continued focus on negative option features, automatic renewals, subscription disclosures, free trial conversions, and cancellation practices, and explains why these issues remain important for companies operating in the payments ecosystem. He walks through the FTC’s allegations regarding insufficient disclosure of key subscription terms, including automatic renewal provisions and early cancellation fees, as well as concerns about burdensome cancellation processes for consumers. Keith also highlights how the action reflects a broader enforcement trend, with the FTC remaining active in the payments space despite increased attention on changes at the CFPB. The episode closes with practical takeaways for businesses, including the importance of clear disclosures, simple cancellation mechanisms, and careful internal communications regarding subscription and billing practices.