2018 Debt Management Legal Updates

You Might Be Able to Raise Your Credit Score With Experian Boost—But Should You?

December 18, 2018. Experian is introducing a new way to potentially raise your credit score, but opting into this service might not be a good idea for everyone.

Loan Forgiveness Announced for Thousands of Students Who Attended Closed Colleges

December 13, 2018. The U.S. Department of Education will forgive $150 million in federal student loan debt.

You Might Be Able to Raise Your Credit Score With the UltraFICO Score—But Beware

October 22, 2018. In 2019, FICO will introduce a new kind of credit score called the UltraFICO Score, which takes into account banking information.

New Law Gives Cancer Patients a Break on Federal Student Loan Payments

September 28, 2018. Federal law now allows cancer patients to stop making payments on their federal student loans temporarily.

New Law Extends Initial Fraud Alerts to One Year

September 21, 2018. As of September 21, 2018, a new federal law increases the length of time a consumer reporting agency must include a fraud alert in a consumer’s file.

Credit Freezes Will Soon Be Free

September 21, 2018. As of September 21, 2018, you’ll be able to freeze your credit file for free.

Your Credit Score Might Suddenly Be On the Rise—Here’s Why

August 15, 2018. Consumer credit scores are going up as changes at credit reporting agencies take effect.

Free Credit Freezes for Hawaii Residents

July 1, 2018. Under a new state law, people who live in Hawaii can now place, temporarily lift, and remove credit freezes for free.

Judge Orders Department of Education to Stop Collecting Payments From Defrauded Corinthian Colleges Students

June 19, 2018. A judge’s order that the U.S. Department of Education can't use earnings data to determine partial loan forgiveness and must stop collecting payments from borrowers applies broadly—not just to four students who filed suit.

Free Credit Freezes for Michigan Residents

June 17, 2018. Thanks to a new state law, Michigan residents may now place, temporarily lift, or remove a credit freeze for free.

Temporary Reprieve from Student Loan Payments for Former Corinthian Colleges Students

May 24, 2018. A federal judge has ordered the U.S. Department of Education to stop collecting student loan payments from students who attended a Corinthian College, at least for the time being.

Free Credit Monitoring for Military Servicemembers

May 24, 2019. An amendment to the Fair Credit Reporting Act requires that credit reporting bureaus offer free credit monitoring services to military servicemembers starting May 24th.

Student Loan Forgiveness for Disabled Veterans

April 18, 2018. A new initiative helps disabled veterans discharge their student loans.

Why Your Credit Score Might Go Up Soon

April 16, 2018. New rules change how credit bureaus can report tax liens and civil judgments.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness: New Law Gives Second Chance to Borrowers in the Wrong Plan

March 23, 2018. The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program is getting $350 million to help borrowers who would be eligible for forgiveness, but enrolled in the wrong repayment plan.

Trump Budget—Like the PROSPER Act—Proposes Eliminating PSLF and Most IDR Plans

February 13, 2018. President Trump’s proposed budget for 2019 would eliminate the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program and reform the income-driven repayment system.

CFPB Delays Prepaid Card Rule Until April 2019

January 25, 2018. The CFPB is delaying implementation of a rule designed to protect consumers from prepaid cards that have few consumer protections and high fees.

CFPB to Reconsider the Payday Rule

January 16, 2018. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced on January 16, 2018 that it plans to "reconsider" the Payday Rule.