CFPB Enhances Consumer Protections and Data Reporting

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has announced a joint final rule on adopting uniform standards for reporting financial data, effective June 25, 2026 [CFPB Newsroom]. This initiative aims to streamline financial data collection and analysis, potentially improving oversight and consumer protection. Additionally, the CFPB is actively working to correct known flaws within its consumer complaint system. The agency acknowledged that the portal has historically faced issues that limited its effectiveness in addressing consumer concerns and the practical utility of its information [CFPB Newsroom]. These efforts are intended to restore integrity and improve the system's ability to help consumers resolve issues with financial service providers.

Separately, the CFPB has been involved in ensuring consumers affected by Bilt's transition to a new banking partner are appropriately compensated. The agency engaged with Bilt to understand the challenges encountered during the transition and the corrective measures taken to make affected customers whole [CFPB Newsroom].

FTC Warns Consumers About Pervasive Scams

In July 2026, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued several consumer alerts, highlighting various scam tactics. The FTC emphasized that a key indicator of a scam is *how* someone asks for payment, noting that demands for bank transfers or wire transfers are major red flags [FTC Consumer Alerts]. The agency also warned consumers, particularly those in the military community, about debt relief scams that promise special "military debt forgiveness" programs but instead aim to trick individuals into paying scammers rather than their actual lenders [FTC Consumer Alerts].

Other scam warnings from the FTC include fraudulent claims of unclaimed life insurance money, fake rental listings often targeting military members during relocation, and dishonest businesses using paid search results to mislead individuals seeking substance use disorder clinics [FTC Consumer Alerts]. The FTC encourages consumers to be vigilant and report suspicious activity to protect themselves from financial exploitation.

Mortgage Data and Lending Thresholds Released

The 2025 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) loan application register data is now available on the FFIEC's HMDA Platform [CFPB Newsroom]. This data provides insights into mortgage lending activity and supports fair lending analyses. In December 2025, the CFPB and Federal Reserve Board (FRB) also announced the dollar thresholds for 2026 that determine the applicability of certain consumer credit and lease transaction protections under Regulation Z (Truth in Lending) and Regulation M (Consumer Leasing) [CFPB Newsroom]. These annual adjustments ensure that consumer protection regulations remain relevant to current economic conditions and transaction values.