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Statement on PHEAA Not Extending its Servicer Contract with Dept. of Education

July 8, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 8, 2021 Boston – Statement by Persis Yu, director of the National Consumer Law Center’s Student Loan Borrower Assistance Project in response to the announcement that PHEAA (FedLoan Servicing) will not be extending its federal contract in December. “Lawsuits by borrowers and the Massachusetts Attorney General have charged PHEAA (FedLoan Servicing) with…

Advocates Applaud Maine Legislature’s Passage of Bill to Protect Basic Necessities from Garnishment by Debt Collectors

July 1, 2021

Consumer advocates applaud the passage of LD 737, An Act To Increase the Value of Property Exempt from Attachment and Execution. The bill expands minimum protections of basic needs from garnishment by debt collectors. In addition to expanding protections for family homes and vehicles, the bill provides protection for up to $3,000 in consumers’ bank…

Practice Implications of June 25 Supreme Court Ramirez Decision

June 30, 2021

This article outlines the Ramirez holding, details its practice implications for consumer litigation generally, and provides advice on how consumer litigants can still use the courts to enforce their rights.

Over Two Dozen Consumer Groups Urge DOE's Granholm to Immediately Act on Long Overdue, Legally Required, Efficiency Standard for Lighting Products

June 28, 2021

Inefficient Light Bulbs Already Sold in 2021 Will Needlessly Cost Consumers $1.8 Billion in Lost Utility Savings Washington, D.C. – Last week, the Consumer Federation of America (CFA), the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC), and 24 consumer groups from across the country urged U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Granholm to implement the efficiency standard…

Advocates Push for Increased Enforcement and Later Rule Sunset to Prevent Improper Foreclosures as the CFPB Issues Final Servicing Rule

June 28, 2021

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Bureau) released its final rule under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) related to helping homeowners impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The rule contains important consumer protections to help stave off unnecessary foreclosures, but the time period for the rule’s foreclosure protections should be extended…

National Consumer Law Center Advocates Praise U.S. House Vote to Repeal National Banking Regulator’s Predatory Lending Rule

June 24, 2021

OCC Rule Protects High-Cost Lenders that use Rent-a-Bank Schemes to Evade State Interest Rate Laws Washington, D.C. – Advocates at the National Consumer Law Center applaud the U.S. House vote to overturn the OCC’s “fake lender” rule, which allows predatory lenders to evade state interest rate laws by putting a federally-chartered bank’s name on the paperwork. The…

National Consumer Law Center Advocates Support Education Department Giving Loan Relief for 18,000 Former ITT Students but Urge More Action

June 16, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JUNE 16, 202 Boston – Today, the U.S. Department of Education (Department) announced that it will discharge the federal student loans of 18,000 former for-profit ITT Tech students who applied for borrower defenses to repayment based on significant misrepresentations made by the now-shuttered school. The Department found that ITT engaged in widespread,…

New Maryland Law Will Protect Low-Income Families from Overpriced Electricity and Gas

June 7, 2021

Maryland Joins New York, Illinois, Connecticut, and Ohio to Rein in Abuses by Competitive Energy Supply Companies FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 7, 2021 Washington, D.C. – National Consumer Law Center advocates applauded Maryland’s General Assembly for passing the Energy Supply Reform Bill (SB31/HB397). The effort was led by Maryland’s Senator Mary L. Washington and Delegate…

New 50-State Survey Finds Gains and Losses for Consumers in Larger, Longer High-Cost Predatory Loans

May 27, 2021

For Immediate Release: May 27, 2021 NCLC’s Review of State Consumer Protection Laws for a $2,000 Two-Year Installment Loan and $500 Six-Month Loan View the full report, with maps for the District of Columbia and each state’s APRs for two types of installment loans, tables outlining changes since the 2020 report, and a complete list…

LDF and NCLC Urge DeKalb County, Georgia, to Delay Lifting Water Disconnection Moratorium, Implement Stronger Protections Against Shutoffs

May 26, 2021

Today, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) and the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) sent a joint letter to Michael Thurmond, Chief Executive Officer of DeKalb County, Georgia, in response to the County’s recent announcement that it will lift its water disconnection moratorium and resume disconnections on July 1, 2021. In the…

Consumer Impact, Spring 2021

Consumer Impact is a biannual publication of the National Consumer Law Center to inform our supporters about NCLC’s advocacy.

Advocates Cheer House Passage of Comprehensive Debt Collection Improvement Act

May 13, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MAY 13, 2021 Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Comprehensive Debt Collection Improvement Act (HR 2547), sponsored by Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), which would bring much needed clarity and reforms to stop abusive debt collection practices. The vote was 215 to 207. “Thank you…

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