Articles

ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE FILES PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION AGAINST DEBT BUYERS, DEBT COLLECTION AGENCIES, AND OWNER TO HALT UNFAIR AND DECEPTIVE PRACTICES

BOSTON — The Attorney General’s Office has filed a Motion for Preliminary Injunction against Champion Funding, Inc., Champion Funding LLC, Judgment Acquisitions Unlimited, Inc., Andrew Metcalf, d/b/a Judgment Acquisitions Unlimited, Inc., and Andrew Metcalf, individually, to halt harmful debt collection practices.

Biden-Harris Administration Approves Additional $5.8 Billion in Student Debt Relief for 78,000 Public Service Workers

The Biden-Harris Administration announced today the approval of $5.8 billion in additional student loan debt relief for 77,700 borrowers. These approvals are the result of fixes made by the Administration to Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). Today’s announcement brings the total loan forgiveness approved by the Biden-Harris Administration to $143.6 billion for 3.96 million Americans.

How to spot hard-to-spot rental scams

Finding an apartment or house to rent that’s safe, affordable, and near amenities you want can be hard for anyone. Folks in the LGBTQ+ community often use community groups on social media to find housing rentals, and people often assume that what’s posted is vetted and safe for community members.

Attorney General James Sues Large-Scale Predatory Lending Operation Targeting Small Businesses

NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today filed a lawsuit against a major operation of over 30 companies and individuals for exploiting small businesses through fraudulent loans at sky-high interest rates disguised as merchant cash advances. 

60% of US Shoppers Used Split-Payment Options in the Past Year

Split-payment or installment plans such as buy now, pay later (BNPL) enable consumers to spread the costs of purchases over multiple installments. Consumers appear to prefer these options. PYMNTS Intelligence data revealed that in the 12 months before being surveyed, about 3 in 5 shoppers opted for installment plans when shopping.

Governor Kotek Delivers Remarks at State Government Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council Kickoff

Salem, OR—Today, Governor Tina Kotek delivered remarks at the first meeting of the State Government Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council, established by the Governor’s Executive Order 23-06. Governor Kotek created the State Government Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council in response to the growing role that generative artificial intelligence is playing in society.

A Collector or an Astronaut?

As someone who has been a collector and collection leader since 1987, I have developed a unique perspective on the value of collectors and astronauts. I often pose this question during my training sessions with collectors to gauge their understanding of the value they bring to people’s lives. A collector who excels in their role can profoundly impact individuals and their families. This leads to the intriguing comparison: who adds more value to people, the work of a collector or that of an astronaut? 

NCUA Releases Q4 2023 State-level Credit Union Data Report

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (March 20, 2024) – According to the latest Quarterly U.S. Map Review released today by the National Credit Union Administration, federally insured credit unions experienced growth in loans and the share of credit unions with positive net income increased over the year ending in the fourth quarter of 2023, while delinquencies rose and assets and shares and deposits declined.

State UDAAP Developments

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) does not have a monopoly when it comes to policing abusive conduct. In 2010, when Congress passed the Consumer Financial Protection Act, it made sure that state attorneys general, state regulators, and certain banking regulators were also empowered to root out harmful corporate misconduct.

AG Ferguson: Judge orders Providence debt collector Optimum Outcomes to pay $827,000 penalty for violating patients’ medical debt collection rights

SEATTLE — The Attorney General’s Office won a trial against debt collection agency Optimum Outcomes. Optimum is the last remaining defendant in Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s charity care lawsuit against Providence Health & Services, one of the nation’s largest health care systems, and its debt collectors.