CFPB Modifies Consumer Complaint Publication Policy

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced a significant change to its public consumer complaint database on August 14, 2026. The agency will cease the discretionary publication of consumer complaint narratives and visualizations. This decision follows a June 24, 2026, press release stating the CFPB is working to "restore integrity and utility to the Consumer Complaint System," which it described as having been "plagued by issues that severely limit its effectiveness" [CFPB Newsroom].

Previously, the CFPB allowed consumers to share the narrative details of their complaints publicly, alongside the company's response, providing transparency on consumer issues. The bureau's move indicates a shift in its approach to managing and presenting consumer feedback, with a focus on internal improvements to the system's underlying processes. Deputy Director Mark Paoletta also addressed financial literacy in remarks to the Financial Literacy and Education Commission on July 27, 2026, emphasizing the agency's broader educational efforts [CFPB Newsroom].

FTC Issues Multiple Scam Warnings

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has released a series of consumer alerts this month, cautioning the public about various fraudulent schemes. On August 20, 2026, the FTC warned of "brushing scams," where unexpected packages are received by consumers, potentially indicating misuse of personal information to generate fake online reviews [FTC Consumer Alerts].

Another significant alert on August 13, 2026, focused on tax debt relief scams. The FTC advised consumers that dishonest companies often promise to eliminate tax debt for a fraction of the cost without proper assessment, urging caution and providing guidance on legitimate help options [FTC Consumer Alerts]. The agency also issued warnings about imposter websites for online bill payment (August 17, 2026), misleading advertisements and investment training scams on social media (August 10 and August 7, 2026), and secondary scams targeting individuals who have already lost money to fraud (August 3, 2026) [FTC Consumer Alerts]. These alerts underscore the persistent threat of financial fraud and the importance of consumer vigilance.

Data Reporting and Financial Standards

In other regulatory news, the CFPB announced on March 31, 2026, the availability of 2025 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data on mortgage lending. This data, found on the FFIEC's HMDA Platform, provides insights into lending patterns and helps ensure fair lending practices [CFPB Newsroom]. Additionally, on June 25, 2026, the CFPB, along with other agencies, announced a joint final rule on adopting uniform standards for reporting financial data, aiming to streamline and standardize financial disclosures across institutions [CFPB Newsroom]. These efforts contribute to greater transparency and consistency within the financial services industry.