CFPB Modifies Complaint System Transparency

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 follows an earlier announcement on June 24, 2026, stating the bureau's intention to correct flaws and restore integrity and utility to its consumer complaint system, which it described as having been "plagued by issues that severely limit its effectiveness" [CFPB Newsroom].

Consumer Protection Against Emerging Scams

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued several alerts concerning prevalent scams. On September 3, 2026, the FTC warned consumers about scanning QR codes, noting that scammers are increasingly using them to facilitate fraudulent activities, particularly in contexts like parking payments. Just days prior, on September 1, 2026, the FTC alerted consumers to scammers spoofing car dealership websites, advising caution during online vehicle shopping. Additionally, the FTC highlighted the risk of 'brushing scams' where consumers receive unsolicited packages, which can be a tactic by scammers to post fake reviews [FTC Consumer Alerts].

Addressing Online Payment and Advertising Risks

Consumers are also being cautioned about online bill payment impersonators. The FTC advised that dishonest companies might use paid search advertisements to trick individuals into paying them instead of the intended service provider [FTC Consumer Alerts]. In August 2026, the FTC also provided guidance on the reliability of social media advertisements, indicating that such ads are not always vetted for legitimacy, and warned about investment training scams often promoted through social media with promises of quick wealth [FTC Consumer Alerts].

Other Regulatory Updates

In other news, the CFPB worked to ensure consumers affected by Bilt's transition to a new bank partner were made whole, following issues caused by the transition [CFPB Newsroom]. The bureau also released 2025 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data on mortgage lending on March 31, 2026, available on the FFIEC's HMDA Platform [CFPB Newsroom]. The Federal Reserve did not issue any press releases relevant to consumer debt relief in the last month that are available on their news page.