Search Results for 'cfpb'

Could Your Outstanding Debt Land You in Jail?

Allison Martin on April 23, 2014

There are several ways that failure to pay what you owe can put you behind bars.

Bank of America Ordered to Pay $727 Million to Customers

Krystal Steinmetz on April 9, 2014

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ordered BofA to pay fines and refund customers to settle claims that it cheated people with its marketing and billing practices for credit card add-on services.

More Seniors Are Doing Reverse Mortgages. Is This a Good Idea?

Marilyn Lewis on April 4, 2014

The concern is that many boomers are using reverse mortgages to drain their home equity too early, leaving them nothing to fall back on in 15 or 20 years.

Payday Loans Might Be Even Worse Than You Thought

Krystal Steinmetz on March 25, 2014

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is preparing some new rules to reform the payday loan industry.

Feds Propose New Rules for For-Profit Colleges

Krystal Steinmetz on March 19, 2014

New federal regulations target for-profit colleges in an effort to protect students from dismal job prospects and huge debt.

8 ‘Gotchas’ Your Credit Card Company Doesn’t Want You to Know

Allison Martin on March 14, 2014

Received an irresistible credit card offer in the mail? Proceed with caution or you may succumb to some of these common credit card traps.

Feds Urge Card Companies to Provide Free Credit Scores

Krystal Steinmetz on February 28, 2014

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau wants Americans to have free, regular access to their credit scores.

Could the Post Office Make Payday Lenders Obsolete?

Guest Blogger on February 6, 2014

It’s been proposed that post offices provide financial services to those who now depend on payday lenders and check-cashing joints.

Can You Guess Which Credit Card Gets the Most Complaints?

Maryalene LaPonsie on January 31, 2014

An analysis of credit card complaints found that one issuer rose to the top. Is it a card in your wallet?

The Ultimate Guide to Debt Collection

Guest Blogger on January 16, 2014

Letters or calls from debt collectors can be scary, but don’t let fear guide your response; not all debt collectors are legitimate, and you have rights.

American Express Ordered to Refund $59.5M for Credit Card Add-Ons

Allison Martin on December 27, 2013

American Express is the fourth credit card company to reach a major settlement with the federal government over the marketing of these types of products.

Medical Credit Card Must Refund $34 Million to Consumers

Karen Datko on December 12, 2013

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau cracked down on CareCredit after receiving hundreds of complaints.

Report: Private Student Loans No Better Than a Credit Card

B.T. Ballenger on November 21, 2013

People who use private student loans tend to have more debt, and many of them could have taken out cheaper and less complicated federal loans.

Some Banks Now Offering Free, Genuine FICO Scores

B.T. Ballenger on November 11, 2013

Yes, it’s a real score, and updated every month. Why isn’t every bank doing this?

Getting a Mortgage is About to Get Harder

Marilyn Lewis on June 2, 2014

New mortgage rules are going into effect Jan. 10 to protect homeowners and investors from the kinds of risky mortgages that were sold during the recent real estate bubble and led so many people into foreclosure.

Adjustable-Rate Mortgages Look Good. Should You Bite?

Marilyn Lewis on November 4, 2013

There’s a catch. After those first five years, things change. The size of your monthly payment can swell or shrink as interest rates rise and fall.

5 Ways Your Bank May Be Ripping You Off

Maryalene LaPonsie on October 24, 2013

Your bank may not be on your side. Discover the common ways financial institutions may be fleecing their customers.

Business Credit Cards Often Have Big Fees, High Interest

B.T. Ballenger on October 22, 2013

They may come with business-oriented perks, but aren’t required to have the same protections consumer cards do. Rates can be higher and terms can change in a blink.

Consumer Watchdog: Student Loan Servicers Are Triggering Unnecessary Fees

B.T. Ballenger on October 21, 2013

A new report cites a variety of consumer complaints about the way servicers communicate and process payments.

Rich Folks Whine More About Their Mortgages

Marilyn Lewis on October 14, 2013

Although poorer homebuyers have been hit hardest by foreclosures and mortgage abuses, a larger number of complaints are coming from richer folks.