Table of Contents

The Three Cs: Cars, credit and construction top annual consumer complaint survey
An annual consumer complaint survey done by the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) and the North American Consumer Protection Investigators (NACPI) found that cars, credit and home repair and construction were at the top of the list of complaints made to state and local consumer protection agencies. Comments: 0

Recent changes in reverse mortgages impact older homeowners
Consumers have more choice in reverse mortgages, but these loans are generally more expensive and more complicated, finds a new study by the AARP Public Policy Institute. Comments: 0

Forced arbitration ubiquitous in consumer contracts
A report from Public Citizen reveals that mandatory binding arbitration clauses, or “forced arbitration,” are prevalent in consumer contracts. Seventy-five percent of companies in eight industries used forced arbitration, according to the report. Comments: 2

Survey finds California homeowners, renters fall through the cracks
Despite new federal and state initiatives, the banking industry continues to fail to adequately address the foreclosure crisis, while new arenas for abuse of consumers are thriving, according to a survey by the California Reinvestment Coalition. Comments: 0

“Day of Action” highlights impact of recession on communities
From Chicago to San Francisco, Birmingham to Detroit and in more than 50 cities across the country, the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) held public rallies and events at 54 locations across the U.S. calling for greater accountability and integrity in the U.S. financial system. Comments: 0

Warranties for new homes force consumers into arbitration
Public Citizen has issued a report that finds millions of new home purchasers are unaware they are signing binding mandatory arbitration clauses in their home warranties. These warranties are particularly insidious because consumers often do not learn of their details until after moving into their new houses. Comments: 0

Could regulations have prevented the economic crisis?
A new report by the Congressional Oversight Committee points to three areas of regulation that could have prevented the current economic crisis. Comments: 1

Discrimination charged in post-Katrina housing lawsuit
Civil rights and fair housing groups filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development and the Louisiana Recovery Authority alleging that the Road Home, Louisiana's Hurricane Katrina recovery program, discriminated against African-American homeowners in New Orleans. Comments: 0

Mortgage companies asked to do more to help at-risk homeowners
In a letter to mortgage servicers accused of doing little to help at-risk homeowners, U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) asks that they temporarily suspend foreclosures and participate in the Hope for Homeowners Program. Comments: 0

Some mortgage modifications are actually increasing home loans
Public Citizen's Consumer Law and Policy Blog has posted a study revealing a wide disparity in the types of mortgage modifications being offered to homeowners. Comments: 1