This bill will substantially weaken Oregon laws protecting financially strapped consumers and will expose consumers to predation by the “debt resolution services” industry. Debt resolution—more commonly known as debt settlement—is a wolf insheep’s clothing. It advertises relief, but it leaves consumers worse off than before they signed up. Oregon should reject this bill.
The National Consumer Law Center and the American Financial Services Association do notagree on everything, but we agree on this: HB 4141 should not pass as written. Many companiesoffering debt resolution services do more harm than good, and HB 4141 would enable rapidproliferation of these kinds of companies and their services in Oregon, displacing legitimate…
Read More about Joint NCLC-AFSA Letter Opposing Oregon Bill to Weaken Consumer Protections (HB 4141)
S1310/A4598 will hurt New Jersey consumers by legalizing debt adjustment, also known as debt settlement. Debt adjustment is one of the worst options for people in debt.
Debt settlement doesn’t work. It hurts people in debt. And it hurts businesses too. This document lists the many reasons why consumers should avoid debt settlement companies and why state legislators should do more to restrict it.
Read More about Why Debt Settlement is Bad for People in Debt
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…
NCLC urges the Washington state House of Representatives to oppose HB 1599. This bill will substantially weaken Washington’s protections against unfair debt adjustment (debt settlement) services.
Read More about Testimony Against Washington Debt Adjustment Bill HB 1599
NCLC and AARP Wisconsin agree with the proposal to limit debt adjustment fees to a percentage of savings, but 30% is too high. NCLC and AARP Wisconsin also recommend more robust annual data reporting, prohibiting licensees from advising consumers to default on debts, and adopting other protections found in the FTC’s debt relief services rule.
Read More about Comment on Proposed Amendments to Wisconsin's Debt Adjustment Services Rule
Joint comments to the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation were submitted on proposed rules that would require debt settlement providers to register and submit annual reports on their operations.
NCLC released a new report today, Searching for Relief: Desperate Borrowers and the Growing Student Loan Debt Relief Industry. This industry has sprung up in response to the demand for student loan borrower assistance and this report documents multiple problems as well as potential violations of consumer federal and state laws. Given the many misrepresentations…
Read More about Student Loan “Debt Relief” Industry Targets Desperate Borrowers
The National Consumer Law Center, on behalf of its low-income consumer clients, and Consumer Federation of America oppose the NCCUSL Uniform Debt Management Services Act unless provisions regulating debt settlement services are removed or dramatically amended. Our key concerns are: The Act regulates debt settlement as a valid type of debt management service. We believe…
Read More about Comments on the NCCUSL Uniform Debt-Management Service Act
The comments were submitted in response to the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws’ recent request for comments on the proposed revisions to the Uniform Debt-Management Services Act (UDMSA). NCLC remains deeply concerned that the UDMSA does not adequately protect consumers from abusive debt settlement and debt management practices. We previously explained our…
NCLC opposes S-2989, which would legalize certain for-profit debt adjusters. For-profit debt adjustment (also known as debt settlement) is bad for consumers and hurts honest businesses. Bankruptcy attorneys, non-profit credit counselors, and self-help are much better alternatives. The debt adjustment industry leads consumers to believe that they can negotiate reduced payoffs on unsecured debts. But…
Read More about Letter in opposition to NJ S-S2989; Debt Settlement Legalization Bill