CFPB Overhauls Consumer Complaint System

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has announced a significant shift in its handling of consumer complaints. Effective August 14, 2026, the CFPB will cease the discretionary publication of complaint narratives and visualizations on its public database [CFPB Newsroom]. This decision follows an earlier announcement on June 24, 2026, where the CFPB stated its intent to correct flaws and restore integrity and utility to the Consumer Complaint System, citing issues that previously limited its effectiveness in addressing consumer concerns [CFPB Newsroom].

Previously, on June 2, 2026, the CFPB also reported efforts to ensure consumers affected by Bilt's transition to a new bank partner were made whole, indicating its ongoing role in consumer remediation for specific issues [CFPB Newsroom]. Separately, the CFPB and Department of Justice withdrew a joint statement on fair lending and credit opportunities for noncitizen borrowers on January 12, 2026 [CFPB Newsroom].

FTC Issues Broad Warnings on Consumer Scams

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has released a series of consumer alerts throughout August 2026, highlighting various fraudulent schemes impacting the public. These warnings cover a wide range of tactics, urging consumers to be vigilant:

• Reporting Scams: Consumers are encouraged to report any scams they encounter, as sharing experiences is a powerful tool against fraudsters [FTC Consumer Alerts].
• Donation Scams: The FTC advised caution when donating to disaster relief efforts, warning that scammers often exploit such situations [FTC Consumer Alerts].
• Veterans' Scams: Alerts were issued regarding postcard scams targeting veterans with false promises of benefits and warnings not to pay for VA benefits applications [FTC Consumer Alerts].
• Brushing Scams: Unexpected packages could indicate a "brushing scam," where scammers use consumer identities to post fake reviews [FTC Consumer Alerts].
• Online Bill Pay Impersonators: The FTC cautioned against dishonest companies using paid search ads to impersonate legitimate bill payment sites [FTC Consumer Alerts].
• Tax Debt Relief Scams: Consumers struggling with tax debt were warned about companies promising to eliminate debt for "pennies on the dollar" without proper assessment [FTC Consumer Alerts].
• Social Media Scams: Multiple alerts focused on social media, including unvetted ads and investment training scams that promise quick riches through online trading [FTC Consumer Alerts].
• Recovery Scams: The FTC also highlighted scams that target individuals who have already lost money, with fraudsters posing as services that can help recover funds [FTC Consumer Alerts].

Financial Education and Mortgage Data

In other news, Deputy Director Mark Paoletta delivered remarks to the Financial Literacy and Education Commission on July 27, 2026, underscoring ongoing efforts in financial education [CFPB Newsroom]. Additionally, the CFPB made the 2025 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) loan application register data available on March 31, 2026, providing insights into mortgage lending practices and fair lending across various demographics [CFPB Newsroom]. No significant consumer-relevant press releases were noted from the Federal Reserve during this period [Federal Reserve Press Releases].