The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau isn’t really content to sit tight. The agency has passed new regulations and started waging suits against financial providers that run afoul of consumer protection laws, with charge card businesses being the very first in the firing line. After winning lawsuits against Discover and Capital One, American Express is the latest to settle with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, along with other agencies, and has agreed to refund $85 million to customers.
CFPB not happy with charge card corporations
The CFPB is not wasting much time getting stuck in and performing the job that it was created to do. Besides creating new regulations to better defend consumers and proposing reforms, it has also begun lodging lawsuits against financial service providers that have fallen afoul of regulations, in conjunction with other federal agencies.
Credit card corporations have thus far been first in the firing line. Suits involving the CFPB have been brought against Discover and Capital One, according to NBC News, both resulting in settlements in excess of $200 million, much of going to refunding customers.
Another lawsuit was just recently settled with American Express too, according to CBS. However, the lawsuit did not just consist of the CFPB. There were also complains from the Federal Reserve, regulators in Utah State, the Federal Deposit Insurance Company, and the Office of the Comptroller of Currency.
Cash handed back
American Express is in trouble for breaking multiple laws, including failing to report billing disputes and regulations about debt collection and reporting. It also charged late charges over legal limits and made false claims about rewards. Also, applicants over the age of 35 were discriminated against.
American Express decided to refund $85 million to consumers and pay $27.5 million in fines.
One issue was with subsidiary American Express Centurian Bank who never gave consumers the $300 reward promised for signing up for an American Express “Blue Sky” cad. CBS explained that the corporations were charging late fees based on a percentage too, according to CNN. The problem with that was that they were charging more than already established limits.
Though it is technically discrimination, one of the subsidiaries was using a credit scoring system that was depending on age.
Another issue with debt
At American Express and its subsidiaries, there were lies being told from 2003 until now, according to CBS. The lie was that customers could increase their credit ratings if they paid off debts older than 7 years. These debts do not even show up on a credit score after that time period.
In March 2013, about 250,000 people will get part of the $85 million concessions, according to NBC News.
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