CFPB Modifies Consumer Complaint System

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced on August 14, 2026, its decision to cease the discretionary publication of consumer complaint narratives and visualizations. This change is part of a broader effort by the CFPB to "restore integrity and utility to the consumer complaint system," a move previously detailed in a June 24, 2026, press release. The agency indicated that the consumer complaint portal has experienced issues that have limited its effectiveness in addressing consumer concerns and the practical utility of its information [CFPB Newsroom].

Further, the CFPB is actively working to ensure that consumers affected by the transition of Bilt to a new bank partner are appropriately remedied. CFPB officials met with Bilt to understand the issues and the steps taken to ensure customers were made whole following challenges with the transition [CFPB Newsroom]. The bureau also released the 2025 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) Loan Application Register data on March 31, 2026, providing insights into mortgage lending practices [CFPB Newsroom].

FTC Alerts Public to Rising Scams

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a series of consumer alerts this month, warning the public about various deceptive practices. A recent alert from August 20, 2026, described "brushing scams," where individuals receive unsolicited packages, which can indicate that a scammer is using their name to leave fake product reviews. Another alert on August 17, 2026, cautioned consumers about "bill pay impersonators" using paid search ads to divert payments intended for legitimate companies [FTC Consumer Alerts].

Concerns were also raised regarding tax debt relief scams, with the FTC advising consumers to be wary of companies promising to eliminate debt for "pennies on the dollar" without first assessing individual tax situations (August 13, 2026). The agency also addressed the prevalence of misleading advertisements and investment training scams on social media, urging consumers to be skeptical of promises of quick wealth and to understand that social media ads are not typically vetted for scams (August 10 and August 7, 2026) [FTC Consumer Alerts].

Protecting Against Fraud and Promoting Financial Literacy

The FTC provided guidance on proactive measures consumers can take. An August 6, 2026, alert emphasized the importance of discussing credit and identity theft with teenagers, especially as they prepare for college or the school year, offering free tools for financial wellness. The commission also warned against "recovery scams," where fraudsters target individuals who have already lost money to previous scams, purporting to offer assistance (August 3, 2026) [FTC Consumer Alerts].

Other warnings included advice on recognizing common scam payment methods like bank and wire transfers (July 22, 2026), and cautioning veterans against paying for VA benefit applications (July 27, 2026). The FTC also highlighted the importance of discussing fraud with friends and family to increase awareness and prevention (July 30, 2026) [FTC Consumer Alerts].

Federal Reserve Activity

No new press releases or significant consumer-relevant updates were identified from the Federal Reserve's newsroom for the reporting period [Federal Reserve Press Releases].