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Report: Will States Let Debt Collectors Push Families Into Poverty as the Cost of Necessities Soars?

December 22, 2022

Download the full report, state maps, and state-specific information https://www.nclc.org/resources/no-fresh-start-2022-will-states-let-debt-collectors-push-families-into-poverty/ BOSTON – With millions of families struggling to find financial stability as soaring inflation drives up the costs of basic necessities, states have a vital role in protecting households from seizure of essential wages and property to pay old debts. A new report from the…

NCLC’s Year in Consumer Justice: 2022

December 20, 2022

Advocates worked on multiple fronts to protect low-income consumers and fight for racial justice and equity In courts, legislatures, and agencies, advocates at the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) made strides in 2022 to preserve homeownership and access to utilities; combat damaging credit reports, wage garnishment, and predatory loans; reduce medical debt and student loan…

Careers at NCLC: Director of Litigation

December 13, 2022

The National Consumer Law Center (NCLC), the country’s preeminent advocate for low-income consumers, seeks an experienced professional to join the NCLC management team as the Director of Litigation. The organization is looking for a collegial and collaborative leader who can develop strong working relationships with internal and external partners and lead NCLC’s critical legal work…

More than a Dozen Consumer and Privacy Groups Urge FCC to Stop Unwanted Text Messages

December 12, 2022

Advocates say Commission must act to preserve and expand protections against unwanted, dangerous, or illegal text messages WASHINGTON – The National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) and the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), along with sixteen other national and state consumer and privacy groups representing a broad swath of individual telephone subscribers across the United States,…

NCLC Awards Hobbs Fellowship to Washington and Lee University Law Student

December 8, 2022

Hobbs Fellowship awarded annually to law student committed to consumer advocacy and the pursuit of a public interest career BOSTON – The National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) has awarded its annual Hobbs Fellowship to Sydney Brun-Ozuna, a second year law student at Washington and Lee University School of Law. “An experienced activist and leader, Sydney…

NCLC and Coalition Support Senate Bill to Close Industrial Loan Company Loophole

December 6, 2022

Washington, D.C. — Today, a broad coalition of financial services and consumer organizations expressedsupport for new legislation to close the industrial loan company (ILC) charter loophole, the “Close the Shadow Banking Loophole Act.” The legislation, introduced by Senate Banking Committee Chairman Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) and Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), prohibits…

Rep. Adams Introduces Bill to Protect Essential Workers from Wage Garnishment

December 5, 2022

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12) has introduced the Protecting Wages of Essential Workers Act of 2022. The Protecting Wages Act will protect $1,000 or 75 percent, whichever is greater, of take-home earnings per week from seizure and index that net amount annually based on inflation. Text of the bill is available here. “Wage…

Federal Student Loan Payment Pause Extension a Critical Step to Protect Borrowers Pending Resolution of the Lawsuits Against Cancellation

November 22, 2022

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to the Biden Administration’s extension of the pause on federal student loan payments pending resolution of the lawsuits against cancellation, Alpha Taylor, staff attorney at the National Consumer Law Center, issued the following statement: “We applaud the Biden Administration for taking this critical step to protect student borrowers as it…

Victory! FCC Agrees with NCLC Advocates: Ringless Voicemail Covered by Robocall Rules

November 22, 2022

This week, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) made “crystal clear” that ringless voicemail is subject to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and to the same rules prohibiting callers from making calls to cellphones without consumers first providing consent. In a Declaratory Ruling, the FCC highlighted comments submitted by NCLC, writing, “We thus agree with…

Advocates Cautiously Optimistic About Administration’s Plan to Improve Student Loan Bankruptcy

November 17, 2022

Concerns Remain about Consistent and Fair Implementation WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Departments of Education and Justice announced new guidance for when the government should allow a student loan borrower who has filed bankruptcy to be relieved of a federal student loan debt. These guidelines aim to enhance consistency and ensure greater equity in the…

Karen Meyers, New Mexico consumer advocate, awarded consumer law’s most prestigious honor

November 15, 2022

Lawyers from Massachusetts, Oregon, and Maryland earn ‘Rising Star’ awards SEATTLE — In recognition of her contributions to the practice of consumer law, New Mexico attorney Karen Meyers accepted the National Consumer Law Center’s 2022 Vern Countryman Award. The prestigious annual honor recognizes an attorney whose special contributions to consumer law have strengthened and affirmed…

More Massachusetts Residents Fall Behind on Utilities, With Record Winter Bills on the Way

November 8, 2022

COVID Created New Class of Struggling Customers at Risk of Shutoffs BOSTON – According to a new analysis from the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC), Massachusetts residential utility customers are increasingly falling behind on their utility payments and are at increased risk of having their utilities shut off– with record winter fuel prices on the…

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