Last year, federal regulators released a report that found online payday lenders — despite their clean, professional websites — could be just as bad, if not worse, than their storefront counterparts. Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau provided yet another example of how these companies can wreak havoc on consumers’ finances by skirting the law. [More]
state laws
Pennsylvania Man Charged With Racketeering For $688M Payday Loan Operation
By 4.7.16
A Pennsylvania man, known for helping to usher in the payday loan movement, has been charged with racketeering for his alleged part in a scheme that bilked more than $688 million from consumers and defrauded 1,400 others from a million-dollar settlement. [More]
Colorado Family Rents Car, Finds Pot Left Inside After Driving Cross-Country
By 6.18.15
Marijuana is legal for recreational use in Colorado now, sure, but that doesn’t mean that it’s legal on the federal level or everywhere else in the country. This caused a dilemma for a family who rented a car in their home state, then drove across the country before they found 1/8 ounce of pot in one of the backseat pockets. [More]
Some Debt Collectors Get Away With Shady Behavior When Collecting Debt For Government
By 2.18.15
Federal and state regulators are continually trying to crack down on debt collectors who use unsavory, illegal tactics to make consumers pay up. But some ethically questionable collectors are operating under the regulatory radar because they collect debts for the government. [More]
Connecticut Bathroom Access Law Now In Effect
By 10.2.09
Connecticut shoppers with bowel disorders, rejoice! Now, there’s a sentence we never expected to write. In order to prevent humiliating and undignified restroom access debacles for people with verified medical conditions, Connecticut has passed a law guaranteeing their access to otherwise off-limits restrooms in public places. The law went into effect on October 1st.
G.M. Agrees To Remain Responsible For Shoddy Cars After Bankruptcy
By 6.28.09
General Motors has reached an agreement with the government to let consumers file what are known as product-liability claims after the company escapes from bankruptcy protection. The big win for consumers means that if a manufacturing defect in an old G.M. causes injuries in the future, consumers will still be able to sue G.M. in state court.
