Featured News Archives

The Hill: For mortgage applications, two credit reports are better than three

November 8, 2023

In an op-ed originally appearing on Nov. 8, 2023, in The Hill, NCLC Senior Attorney Chi Chi Wu discusses how the Big Three credit bureaus are trying to convince policymakers that forcing consumers to purchase three credit reports and six scores to get approved for a mortgage is somehow better for consumers than only requiring…

Reuters: Payments app Zelle begins refunds for imposter scams after Washington pressure

November 13, 2023

Originally appearing in Reuters on Nov. 13, 2023, Hannah Lang talks to NCLC Senior Attorney Carla Sanchez-Adams about how banks on the payment app Zelle have begun refunding victims of imposter scams to address consumer protection concerns raised by U.S. lawmakers and the federal consumer watchdog, in a major policy change. Still, regulations mandating imposter…

NPR: Will the VA stop thousands of veterans from losing their homes?

November 16, 2023

Originally appearing in NPR on Nov. 16, 2023, Chris Arnold and Robert Benincasa talk to NCLC Senior Attorney Steve Sharpe about the many Veteran homeowners at risk and growing pressure on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to stop foreclosing on Veterans. “There should be a pause on foreclosures. Veterans should really be able to…

The New York Times: TransUnion Failed to Quickly Place or Remove Freezes on Credit Reports

October 27, 2023

Originally appearing in The New York Times on October 27, 2023, Ann Carrns looks at the practice of freezing your credit report, long regarded as one of the best steps to take to make sure identity thieves cannot obtain loans or credit cards in your name, and talks to NCLC senior attorney Chi Chi Wu…

USA Today: Interest rates on some retail credit cards climb to record 33%. Can they even do that?

November 1, 2023

Originally appearing in USA Today on November 1, 2023, Daniel de Visé talks to NCLC senior attorney Chi Chi Wu about rising credit card interest rates. “Yep. They can charge that much. Credit cards can actually charge whatever they want. It’s a little-known fact.” Chi Chi Wu, a senior attorney at the nonprofit National Consumer…

Payments Dive: Consumer group pushes for stricter EWA protections

October 16, 2023

Appearing in Payments Dive on October 16, 2023, James Pothen covers policy recommendations issued by NCLC and the Center for Responsible Lending. Boston-based NCLC called out Missouri and Nevada for passing “industry-backed” EWA laws, saying they “lack any meaningful substitute consumer protections.” The NCLC has expressed concern that the burgeoning on-demand pay industry, which includes…

The New York Times: Consumer Agency Moves to Ban Medical Debt From Credit Reports

September 29, 2023

Appearing in The New York Times on September 29, 2023, Ann Carrns talks to Chi Chi Wu about how people struggling with unpaid medical bills may soon have that debt erased from their credit reports. If you lack health insurance, check to see if you qualify for coverage under Medicaid, the federal-state health program for…

NPR: Medical debt could soon be barred from ruining your credit score

September 21, 2023

Appearing in NPR on September 21, 2023, Noam Levey talks to Chi Chi Wu about a Kaiser Family Fund Health News/NPR investigation into medical debt and the burden is places on about 100 million people. “Negative credit reporting is one of the biggest pain points for patients with medical debt. When we hear from consumers…

Fortune: Advice for student loan borrowers now the payment pause is over (Video)

September 17, 2023

Appearing in Fortune On Demand on September 17, 2023, Anna Anderson offers guidance for student loan borrowers on the return of student loan payments and interest.

Bloomberg Law: Banks Warn CFPB to Back Off on Scrutiny of Medical Credit Cards

September 18, 2023

Appearing in Bloomberg Law on September 18, 2023, Evan Weinberger talks to Chi Chi Wu for a piece covering banks, debt collectors, and other companies response to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) request for information on medical payment products.

The New York Times: Beware Companies Selling Credit ‘Repair’ Services

September 15, 2023

Ann Carrns talks to Andrew Pizor about how while occasionally credit repair companies’ efforts may work, any benefit is often temporary.

CNN: Arkansas hospital sued thousands of patients over medical bills during the pandemic, including hundreds of its own employees

September 8, 2023

Appearing in CNN on Sep. 8, 2023, Casey Tolan and Ed Lavandera interview Berneta Haynes in for a story on how the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, (UAMS) Arkansas’ flagship public health sciences university, has been aggressively suing thousands of former patients over medical debt in recent years, including hundreds of its own employees.…

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