Tag:credit reporting
CFPB Faces Uncertain Future: What it Means for Consumers
The US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is a government agency that ensures consumers are “treated fairly by banks, lenders, and other financial institutions.” Along with enforcing consumer protection laws, the CFPB oversees products, like credit cards and mortgages, and investigates complaints regarding dishonest or illegal activity to hold companies accountable. The CFPB has faced controversy about whether or not the agency has too much power. However, the CFPB is currently under increased scrutiny by the Trump administration, which could result in issues with consumer financial protections.
In the Aftermath of Identity Theft: What You Need to Know About the Fair Credit Reporting Act
For me, it started with a phone call. Normally I do not answer calls from unknown numbers. But that day I did. The woman on the other end of the line informed me that she was calling on behalf of a debt collection agency. Sensing my confusion, she explained, “We’ve been trying to reach you regarding your outstanding balance with Sprint.” That did not make sense, I insisted. I had never been a Sprint customer in my life. After a brief pause, she asked, “Have you ever been the victim of identity theft?”
Equifax Compromises Millions of Consumer’s Information, How Is This Possible?
On September 7, 2017, the credit bureau Equifax announced a giant security breach affecting the personal information of approximately 143 million US consumers, as well as thousands of consumers overseas. With numerous lawsuits piling up against the company and almost half of our nation’s population at a significant increased risk of identity theft, Americans are left wondering why this happened, how it could have been prevented, and what will become of Equifax and our credit reporting systems.