Truth in Lending Act (TILA): TILA requires lenders to disclose the terms and conditions of a loan, including the annual percentage rate (APR), finance charges, and the total amount to be repaid.
Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA): ECOA prohibits lenders from discriminating against borrowers based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age, or receipt of public assistance.
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA): FCRA regulates the collection, dissemination, and use of consumer credit information by credit reporting agencies and lenders.
Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA): TCPA restricts telemarketing and text messages to consumers, including debt collection calls and texts.
Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA): EFTA establishes the rights and liabilities of consumers and financial institutions in electronic fund transfer transactions.
State Usury Laws: Each state has its own usury laws that regulate the maximum interest rate that lenders can charge on loans. For example, in California, the maximum interest rate is 10% per year for loans under $2,500, while in New York, the maximum interest rate is 16% per year for loans under $250,000.
State Licensing Laws: Some states require lenders to be licensed and registered to offer loans, including mobile phone loans. For example, in California, lenders must be licensed by the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI), while in New York, lenders must be licensed by the Department of Financial Services (DFS).
State Consumer Protection Laws: Some states have specific consumer protection laws that regulate mobile phone loans. For example, in California, the Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (RFDCPA) prohibits debt collectors from using deceptive, abusive, or harassing practices when attempting to collect debts, while in New York, the Department of Financial Services has issued regulations governing the marketing and advertising of mobile phone loans.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Regulations: The FTC enforces federal consumer protection laws and may take action against lenders who engage in unfair, deceptive, or abusive practices.
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA): The SCRA provides protections for active-duty military members, including a cap on interest rates at 6% per year for certain types of loans.
National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) Guidelines: The NCLC provides guidelines for consumer advocates and attorneys to protect consumers from unfair lending practices.
State Interest Rate Caps: Some states have interest rate caps for certain types of loans, including mobile phone loans. For example, in Maryland, the maximum interest rate for consumer loans is 33% per year, while in Colorado, the maximum interest rate for payday loans is 36% per year.
State Small Loan Laws: Some states have small loan laws that regulate the maximum amount of interest and fees that lenders can charge on small loans, including mobile phone loans. For example, in Arkansas, the maximum finance charge for small loans is $17.50 per $100 borrowed.
State Debt Collection Laws: Some states have debt collection laws that regulate how lenders and debt collectors can attempt to collect debts from consumers, including mobile phone loans.
State Consumer Finance Laws: Some states have consumer finance laws that regulate the lending industry and may apply to mobile phone loans.
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act: Dodd-Frank created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to protect consumers from unfair, deceptive, and abusive lending practices. The CFPB has the authority to regulate mobile phone loans and may take action against lenders who violate federal consumer protection laws.
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA): GLBA regulates the collection and disclosure of nonpublic personal information by financial institutions, including lenders who offer mobile phone loans.
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA): FDCPA regulates debt collectors and prohibits them from using abusive, deceptive, or unfair practices when attempting to collect debts, including debts related to mobile phone loans.
State Garnishment Laws: Some states have garnishment laws that regulate how much of a borrower's wages can be garnished to repay a debt, including a debt related to a mobile phone loan.
State Wage Assignment Laws: Some states have laws that regulate how lenders can obtain a wage assignment to collect a debt, including a debt related to a mobile phone loan.
State Repossession Laws: Some states have laws that regulate how lenders can repossess collateral, including mobile phones, in the event of default on a loan.
State Dispute Resolution Laws: Some states have laws that require lenders to provide borrowers with a dispute resolution process for disputes related to a loan, including a mobile phone loan.
State Consumer Fraud Laws: Some states have consumer fraud laws that regulate unfair, deceptive, or misleading practices in consumer transactions, including mobile phone loans.
State Unfair Trade Practices Laws: Some states have unfair trade practices laws that regulate unfair or deceptive acts or practices in commerce, including mobile phone loans.
State Consumer Credit Laws: Some states have specific laws that regulate consumer credit transactions, including mobile phone loans. These laws may include requirements for disclosure of terms and conditions, limitations on interest rates and fees, and other consumer protections.
State Small Claims Court Laws: Some states have small claims court laws that provide a simplified process for resolving disputes between borrowers and lenders, including disputes related to mobile phone loans.