Michigan Considers Bill to Loosen Payday Loan Laws

Payday loans are a debt sentence to low-income families across Michigan. But while federal regulators are trying to find ways to crack down on the industry, the Michigan Legislature is considering just the opposite. Two new bills would loosen payday loan laws and make it easier for lenders to take advantage of poor Michigan families.

Federal Bill Could Gut Payday Loan Regulations

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is expected to crack down on payday loan regulations later this year. But a bill working its way through the House of Representatives in Washington could stop these important consumer protections in their tracks.

Avoiding Tax Scams: Advice from Michigan's Attorney General

As Michigan consumers gear up for tax season, scam artists are picking up their game too. Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette recently issued a new, updated consumer alert to help residents fight back against IRS scams.

CFA Finds Auto Insurance Companies Discriminate Based on Home Ownership

There are plenty of benefits to home ownership, but paying less on your car insurance shouldn't be one of them. A recent study by the Consumer Federation of America shows that renters can pay up to 47% more than renters for the same car insurance. The organization is calling for stronger consumer protection laws to combat the practice.

How to Fight Creditor Harassment

Do you have creditors who won't leave you alone? Michigan has clear rules about what collection companies are and are not allowed to do. But that doesn't mean they are followed. Find out what you can do to help fight creditor harassment and get the collection companies off your back.

Tragic Snowmobile Defect Case Heads Back to Trial

Six years ago, two women died when their Arctic Cat snowmobile reversed off a 40 foot cliff on Mackinac Island. Now those women's families will finally get their day in court. A Michigan Court of Appeals has sent the snowmobile defect case back to trial.

The Problem With Illegal Auto Title Loans

Lending companies have taken advantage of Michigan's poorest residents for years. They rely on the fact that most people don't know lending laws and don't hire a consumer protection lawyer when they are the victim of collections harassment. But now, Internet companies like Liquidation, LLC, have taken that harassment to a new level. Their auto title loans leave residents with huge debts while depriving them of their most valuable asset – their car.