This testimony provides support for Kansas HB 2754 — An Act Providing Civil Relief from Coerced Debt, a bill that offers a targeted, balanced, and urgently needed response to a form of economic abuse that traps survivors of domestic violence in long-term financial harm—often long after the physical abuse has ended.
Testimony of Andrea Bopp Stark, National Consumer Law Center, to Massachusetts Legislative Committee of the Judiciary in Support of H1694/ S1147 — An Act Providing Civil Legal Remedies for Victims of Economic Abuse This bill establishes a legal process for victims of coerced debt, including survivors of domestic abuse, to find relief and restore their…
Nationwide survey highlights impact of coerced debt on credit reports, financial security.
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Coerced debt occurs when an abuser either fraudulently opens accounts in the victim’s name or coerces the victim into taking on debt they would not have otherwise obtained. This can be done by using threats, manipulation, or even physical force.
In response to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and coerced debt, a coalition of organizations, including the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC), the Center for Survivor Agency and Justice (CSAJ), and the National Coerced Debt Working Group (CDWG), alongside numerous state and…
Nearly every domestic violence survivor has reported suffering economic abuse at the hands of their abusive partner. They’ve been coerced into debt, had their credit scores ruined, lost all financial independence. Few laws are on the books to prevent this. Adrienne Adams, professor in the Department of psychology at Michigan State University, Carla Sanchez-Adams, senior attorney…
Inaccurate credit reporting can wreak havoc on victims of “coerced debt,” which occurs when an abuser uses coercive control or identity theft to incur debt in the name of an individual.
Coerced debt occurs when an abuser utilizes coercive control or identity theft to incur debt in the name of an individual.
NCLC submitted comments in response to the Treasury Department’s request for information on developing a national strategy for financial inclusion. Our comments begin by addressing some of the risks associated with expanding the use of alternative data in credit reporting and argue that “alternative” data is best left outside of the main credit reporting file.…
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On February 22, the Supreme Court in Bartenwerfer v. Buckley, 2023 WL 2144417 (U.S. Feb. 22, 2023), held that a debt incurred by business partners and obtained by fraud may not be discharged in bankruptcy even when the debtor is an innocent partner who did not commit the fraud. One can expect bankruptcy creditors to try…
This NCLC Digital Library article provides practice tips for advising clients with debt incurred by an abusive partner through coercion and fraud. While this article focuses on coercion by abusive partners, similar advice may be appropriate for elder abuse, abuse suffered by persons with disabilities who rely on a caretaker for day-to-day needs, victimization involving…
Read More about NCLC Digital Library: Advising Clients When an Abusive Partner Coerces Debt
