CFPB Updates Consumer Complaint Process

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is implementing significant changes to its consumer complaint system. As of August 14, 2026, the agency will cease the discretionary publication of consumer complaint narratives and related visualizations [CFPB Newsroom]. This decision follows a June 24, 2026 announcement detailing efforts to "correct flaws to restore integrity and utility" to the consumer complaint system, which the CFPB stated has been "plagued by issues that severely limit its effectiveness" [CFPB Newsroom]. The bureau's Deputy Director, Mark Paoletta, also delivered remarks to the Financial Literacy and Education Commission on July 27, 2026, touching on financial education [CFPB Newsroom].

Previously, on March 31, 2026, the CFPB made the 2025 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) Loan Application Register data available, which provides insight into mortgage lending trends [CFPB Newsroom].

FTC Issues Broad Scam Warnings

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has released numerous consumer alerts throughout August 2026, highlighting various fraudulent activities. Consumers are advised on what steps to take after spotting a scam [FTC Consumer Alerts]. Specific warnings include:

• Donation Scams: Alerting consumers to fraudulent charitable solicitations, particularly following natural disasters [FTC Consumer Alerts].
• Veteran-Targeted Scams: Highlighting "postcard scams" promising extra monthly veterans benefits, often involving a fake "Veterans Savings Program" [FTC Consumer Alerts]. The FTC also reiterated that veterans should not pay to apply for VA benefits [FTC Consumer Alerts].
• Brushing Scams: Explaining that unexpected packages might be part of a scheme where sellers create fake reviews using recipients' names [FTC Consumer Alerts].
• Bill Pay Impersonators: Cautioning against dishonest companies using paid search ads to trick consumers into paying them instead of the intended service provider [FTC Consumer Alerts].
• Tax Debt Relief Scams: Warning consumers about companies that promise to eliminate tax debt for "pennies on the dollar" without properly assessing the situation [FTC Consumer Alerts].
• Social Media Scams: Addressing deceptive ads and investment training scams promoted on social media platforms that promise wealth generation through online trading [FTC Consumer Alerts]. The FTC also provided guidance on discussing credit and identity theft with teenagers, especially ahead of college or back-to-school [FTC Consumer Alerts].
• Recovery Scams: Alerting those who have previously lost money to scams about new scams that claim to help them recover their losses [FTC Consumer Alerts].

These alerts underscore the FTC's ongoing efforts to educate the public on identifying and avoiding common fraud schemes.

Federal Reserve Actions Focus on Banking Enforcement

The Federal Reserve's recent press releases primarily detail enforcement actions and approvals of banking applications. Throughout August 2026, the Federal Reserve Board issued enforcement actions against former employees of financial institutions such as Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, Regions Bank, and United Community Bank [Federal Reserve Press Releases]. Additionally, the Board announced the approval of applications by banking entities like National Westminster Bank Plc, Coastal Bend Bancshares, Inc., and FS Bancorp, Inc. [Federal Reserve Press Releases]. The minutes from the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meetings in July 2026 were also released [Federal Reserve Press Releases].