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FCC says consent is required for ringless voicemails
On November 21, the FCC issued a declaratory ruling that entities using ringless voicemail products must first obtain a consumer's consent prior to using the product to leave voicemails. According to the FCC, it receives “dozens of consumer complaints annually related to ringless voicemail.” The unanimous ruling establishes that ringless voicemails are “calls” that require consumers’ prior express consent, and further clarifies that a ringless voicemail is a form of a robocall, and therefore subject to the TCPA robocall prohibition, which prohibits making any non-emergency call with an automatic telephone dialing system or an artificial or prerecorded voice to a wireless telephone number without the prior express consent of the called party.
The FCC’s declaratory ruling denied a 2017 petition filed by a company that distributes technology that permits voicemail messages to be delivered directly to consumers’ voicemail services. The petitioner argued that ringless messages, and the process by which the ringless voicemail is deposited on a carrier’s platform, is neither a call made to a mobile telephone number nor a call for which a consumer is charged and, therefore, is a service that is not regulated. The FCC rejected the petitioner’s argument that ringless voicemail is not a TCPA call because it does not pass through a consumer’s phone line and that the TCPA protects only calls made directly to a wireless handset, and does not result in a charge to the consumer for the delivery of the voicemail message. The ruling noted that “consumers cannot block these messages and consumers experience an intrusion on their time and their privacy by being forced to spend time reviewing unwanted messages in order to delete them.” The ruling also noted that a “consumer’s phone may signal that there is a voicemail message and may ring once before the message is delivered, which is another means of intrusion. Consumers must also contend with their voicemail box filling with unwanted messages, which may prevent other callers from leaving important wanted messages.” According to a statement by FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, the rule makes it “crystal clear" that ringless voicemails are subject to the TCPA and that the Commission's rules "prohibit[] callers from sending this kind of junk without consumers first giving their permission to be contacted this way.”
DOJ, DOE announce process for discharging federal student loans in bankruptcy
On November 17, the DOJ, in coordination with the Department of Education (DOE), announced a new process for handling cases involving individuals seeking to discharge their federal student loans in bankruptcy. According to the DOJ, the process will leverage DOE data and a new borrower-completed attestation form to assist the government in assessing a borrower’s discharge request. The DOJ also noted that the process “will help ensure consistent treatment of the discharge of federal student loans, reduce the burden on borrowers of pursuing such proceedings and make it easier to identify cases where discharge is appropriate,” and “help borrowers who did not think they could get relief through bankruptcy more easily identify whether they meet the criteria to seek a discharge.” The DOJ and the DOE will review the information provided, apply the factors that courts consider relevant to the undue-hardship inquiry, and determine whether to recommend that the bankruptcy judge discharge the borrower’s student loan debt. The DOJ also distributed guidance outlining the new process to all U.S. Attorneys.
Treasury seeks to mitigate digital asset financial risks
On November 18, Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing and Financial Crimes at the U.S. Department of Treasury Elizabeth Rosenberg spoke before the Crypto Council for Innovation. In her prepared remarks, Rosenberg discussed an Action Plan to Mitigate the Illicit Finance Risks of Digital Assets (the “Action Plan”), which, according to Rosenberg, is a roadmap for how the U.S. government, led by Treasury, will bring greater transparency to the digital asset sector. The Action Plan is issued pursuant to President Biden’s Executive Order 14067 “Ensuring Responsible Development of Digital Assets” (covered by InfoBytes here). Rosenburg noted that the Action Plan identifies seven priority actions, including improving global anti-money laundering/countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) regulation and enforcement, strengthening U.S. supervision of the virtual asset service providers sector, and engaging with the private sector. She emphasized that it is “critical” to work with the private sector, and between private sector entities, to detect and counter illicit finance. Rosenberg noted that to deepen Treasury’s insight, the agency released a Request for Comment (RFC) in September, seeking feedback on the Action Plan, the assessment of illicit financing risks, and opportunities to strengthen public-private collaboration.
As previously covered by InfoBytes, the RFC also sought public feedback on AML/CFT regulation and supervision, global implementation of AML/CFT standards, and central bank digital currencies. Rosenberg discussed two issues addressed in the comment letters: (i) a need for regulatory clarity; and (ii) more public-private engagement. Specifically, she noted that “[m]any of the comments acknowledged that in the United States, virtual asset service providers are subject to a regulatory framework for AML/CFT and have sanctions obligations.” She further noted that “industry commenters identified specific areas, such as questions around decentralized finance (DeFi), where they could benefit from additional regulatory clarity or guidance.” Rosenberg also emphasized that Treasury wants to “ensure that safeguards are in place to promote the responsible development of virtual assets to maintain privacy and shield against arbitrary or unlawful surveillance.” She further noted that the goal and intention of Treasury “is not to deter the development of technologies that provide privacy for virtual asset transfers,” and that Treasury “welcome[s] opportunities to further engage with industry on how these technologies can both promote privacy while also mitigating illicit finance risks and complying with regulatory and sanctions obligations.”
CFPB aims to protect consumers at the local level
On November 18, the CFPB released a blog describing how CFPB complaint data can help cities and counties protect the public. According to the Bureau, one of the major ways it regulates consumer financial products and services and protects consumers from unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices is through collecting, monitoring, and responding to consumer complaints. The complaints the Bureau receives help inform its policy and regulatory priorities and enforcement activities, according to the blog. The Bureau further noted that consumer complaints “can shine a light on trends and practices that could cause another financial calamity and once again inflict long-term havoc on consumers’ financial wellbeing.” The Bureau said it intends to increase the impact of its complaint data by sharing it with cities and counties to protect consumers at the local level, which will be "a win-win for consumers and the CFPB” because it “helps protect as many consumers as possible from predatory lending, barriers to credit, and other consumer harms.” For its initial engagement, the Bureau chose cities and counties that were best positioned to benefit from the CFPB’s complaint data, including “[l]ocal governments with civil or criminal prosecutorial authority to monitor and enforce their own consumer protection laws as well as force-multiply enforcement of federal consumer financial protection laws such as those available under the Consumer Financial Protection Act”; and “[l]ocal governments with, or that are working to create, financial empowerment offices and developing financial empowerment strategies to improve financial stability for low- and moderate-income households.”
The Bureau explained that after completing the review process, it onboarded the local governments to the CFPB’s Government Portal, which provides local, state, and federal government agencies access to more granular information about consumers’ complaints and companies’ responses through a secure interface. Onboarding to the Government Portal, which required the cities and counties to sign a confidentiality and data access agreement with strict personal data protection requirements, enables the cities and counties to, among other things: (i) view in real-time what consumers are experiencing in the financial marketplace and how companies are responding; (ii) download complaints to examine and enforce rules protecting consumers; and (iii) compare problems constituents are facing to other localities and nationwide. Through the Government Portal, local governments can directly submit constituents’ complaints and get responses from the companies. The Bureau noted that the complaint data can also help local government officials identify what gaps exist, and what fixes are needed, which therefore helps in its mission to foster increased consumer awareness and eventual empowerment.
FHA to accept private flood insurance for FHA-insured mortgages
On November 21, FHA published a final rule in the Federal Register to allow homeowners with FHA-insured mortgages to obtain flood insurance policies that meet FHA requirements from private insurance providers. Specifically, the Acceptance of Private Flood Insurance for FHA-Insured Mortgages final rule updates agency regulations to give borrowers the option to purchase a comparable private insurance policy that conforms to FHA requirements in lieu of a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policy for FHA-insured mortgages secured by properties located in FEMA-designated special flood hazard areas (SFHAs). Previously, only flood insurance obtained through the NFIP was accepted. The final rule applies to all FHA-insured single family Title II mortgages, including home equity conversion mortgages, and loans insured under FHA Title I programs. Lenders should refer to Mortgagee Letter 2022-18 for guidance on implementing the final rule’s requirements, which are effective December 21.
Concurrently, HUD issued a press release stating that beginning December 21, “FHA will require lenders to provide detailed flood insurance coverage information when electronically submitting mortgages for FHA insurance on properties in SFHAs.” According to HUD, “[t]his data collection is an objective included in HUD’s Climate Action Plan and will allow FHA to capture and analyze flood insurance information on mortgages in its portfolio at a more granular level than has been possible previously.”
FINRA requests information on crypto asset retail communications
Recently, FINRA announced that it is conducting a targeted exam of firm practices regarding retail communications on crypto asset products and services for the time period of July 1, 2022 through September 30, 2022. In the targeted exam letters, FINRA requested, among other things, that firms or their affiliates provide: (i) all retail communications on the firm’s behalf that refer to, relate to, or concern a crypto asset or service involving the transaction or holding of a crypto asset; (ii) written supervisory procedures concerning the review, approval, record keeping, and dissemination of communications; and (iii) any compliance policies, manuals, training materials, compliance bulletins, and any other written guidance.
CFPB seeks to enhance public data on auto lending
On November 17, the CFPB announced it is seeking public comment on its proposal to develop a new data set to monitor the auto loan market. According to the Bureau, more than 100 million Americans have an auto loan, and currently there is approximately $1.5 trillion in outstanding auto loan debt, making it the third-largest consumer credit category. The Bureau explained that financial markets and policymakers have access to mortgage data that has given insight into patterns in lending and risk. But, despite its size, there is less known about the auto lending market. Over the past two years, car prices have risen significantly, which has resulted in higher loan amounts and monthly payments. The Bureau noted that these loan size increases are “beginning to have an impact on consumers and households. Recent data show an increase in auto loan delinquencies, particularly for low-income consumers and those with subprime credit scores.” According to the Bureau, the available data permits market participants to identify and measure certain trends but is insufficiently granular to fully explore the cause of those trends. The Bureau also noted that many auto loans are made to consumers with subprime or deep subprime credit scores from lenders that do not furnish data on those loans to credit reporting agencies. Specifically, for its request, the Bureau is “seeking to build a new data set that will allow for a more robust understanding of market trends,” which may include, among other things, “collecting retrospective data from a sample of lenders that represent a cross-section of the auto lending market.” Comments are due by December 19.
FTC seeks feedback on possible changes to Business Opportunity Rule
On November 17, the FTC announced it is soliciting public comments on possible modifications to the Business Opportunity Rule. According to the FTC’s advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR), the Commission is seeking feedback on the rule’s effectiveness, whether it is necessary, and whether it should be expanded to cover other types of money-making opportunities, such as coaching or mentoring programs, e-commerce opportunities, or investment opportunities. The Business Opportunity Rule prohibits the use of deceptive statements when selling business opportunities, and requires sellers to make several key disclosures to potential buyers, including: (i) the seller’s identifying information; (ii) information supporting claims about possible earnings or profits; (iii) disclosures about whether the seller, its affiliates, or key personnel have been included in certain legal actions; (iv) information on whether the seller has a cancellation or refund policy and any applicable policy terms; and (v) a list covering the past three years of consumers who have purchased the business opportunity. The FTC will also require sellers who conduct business in languages other than English to provide disclosures in the language in which the sale is conducted.
The ANPR also asks commenters to address whether business opportunity practices “disproportionately target or affect certain communities or groups, including but not limited to people living in lower-income communities, communities of color, or other historically underserved communities,” and requests feedback on suggested amendments to address any negative effects. Comments on the ANPR are due 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.
Treasury recommends closer supervision of fintech-bank partnerships
On November 16, the U.S. Treasury Department, in consultation with the White House Competition Council, released a report entitled Assessing Impacts of New Entrant Non-bank Firms on Competition in Consumer Finance Markets. The report is a product of President Biden’s July 2021 Executive Order, Promoting Competition in the American Economy, (covered by InfoBytes here), which, among other things, ordered Treasury to submit a report within 270 days on the effects on competition of large technology and other non-bank companies’ entry into the financial services space. Assessing Impacts of New Entrant Non-bank Firms on Competition in Consumer Finance Markets is the final report in a series of reports that assesses competition in various aspects of the economy. Among other things, the report found that while concentration among federally insured banks is increasing, new entrant non-bank firms, specifically “fintech” firms, are adding significantly to the number of firms and business models competing in consumer finance markets and appear to be contributing to competitive pressure. In addition to enabling new capabilities, fintech firms are also creating new risks to consumer protection and market integrity, according to the report. The report noted that non-bank firms could “pose risks by engaging in harmful regulatory arbitrage, conducting activities in a manner that inappropriately sidesteps safety and soundness and consumer protection law requirements applicable to an [insured depository institution].”
The report also noted that new entrant non-bank firms or their offerings may pose risks of reliability or fraud issues, in addition to data privacy risks and the potential for new forms of surveillance and discrimination. The report provided recommendations for regulators to encourage fair and responsible competition that benefits consumers and their financial well-being, including: (i) addressing market integrity and safety and soundness concerns by providing a clear and consistently applied supervisory framework for bank-fintech relationships; (ii) protecting consumers by robustly supervising bank-fintech lending relationships for compliance with consumer protection laws and their impact on consumers’ financial well-being; and (iii) encouraging consumer-beneficial innovation by supporting innovations in consumer credit underwriting designed to increase credit visibility, reduce bias, and prudently expand credit to underserved consumers.
FTC sues company for deceptive schemes
On November 16, the FTC announced an action against a company that markets and sells business opportunities for allegedly pitching deceptive moneymaking schemes promising big returns to consumers. Claims were also brought against the company owners. The FTC alleged in its complaint that the defendants violated the FTC Act, the Business Opportunity Rule, and the Consumer Review Fairness Act by selling business packages and business coaching through an internet retailer under various names that promised consumers they could “generate passive income on autopilot.” However, the FTC claimed the defendants charged consumers between $5,000 and $100,000 for the programs and used fake consumer reviews in their marketing and sales pitches. Few consumers ever made money from these schemes, the FTC said. Additionally, the defendants allegedly charged consumers thousands of dollars to participate in a cryptocurrency investment service, which defendants claimed could generate profits for consumers “while you sleep.” According to the FTC, the defendants harmed consumers by, among other things, (i) deceiving them about potential earnings; (ii) using fake testimonials; (iii) suppressing negative reviews and promising refunds to consumers if they removed their complaints; (iv) threatening to sue dissatisfied consumers and adding language to contracts to prevent consumers from leaving negative reviews; and (v) failing to provide required disclosures when selling their programs.
Under the terms of the proposed stipulated order, the defendants will be prohibited from making deceptive earnings claims and misleading consumers about the nature of their products, including the likelihood of profits. Defendants must also stop engaging in behavior that interferes with consumer reviews and complaints. The defendants will also be required to pay $2.6 million in monetary relief. The proposed order includes nearly $53 million in total monetary judgment, which is partially suspended due to defendants’ inability to pay.