Data is the connective infrastructure between creditors and debt settlement firms. When that infrastructure is patchy or inconsistent, resolution slows, errors multiply, and compliance risks rise. By contrast, well-structured, secure data exchange is the foundation for faster settlements, smoother workflows, and more resilient compliance.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced a permanent ban on a fraudulent debt collection operation that deceived consumers into paying debts they didn’t actually owe. The scheme, which operated under several aliases but was primarily known as Blackstone Legal, used intimidation tactics and false claims to extract money from unsuspecting individuals.
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As previously reported, in addressing the fact that current stays of the section 1071 small business data collection and reporting rule only apply to the applicable plaintiffs, intervenors and their members, the CFPB advised in May 2025 that it would not make enforcement of the rule a priority in order to provide relief to parties not covered by any court stay of the rule. The CFPB has now issued an interim final rule to extend the compliance dates of the rule for all lenders subject to the rule.
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today released enforcement actions taken against national banks and federal savings associations (banks), and individuals currently and formerly affiliated with banks the OCC supervises.
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