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Amicus program

The CFPB is responsible for implementing many federal laws that relate to consumer finance. Courts sometimes apply those same laws to resolve disputes between private parties. In some cases, we believe a court would benefit from hearing our views on what the law says.

The amicus program is how we share our views with to the court.  (“Amicus” is shorthand for “Amicus curiae”, Latin for “friend of the court.”) Our amicus briefs provide the courts with the CFPB’s views on significant consumer financial protection issues and help ensure that consumer financial protection statutes and regulations are correctly and consistently interpreted.

Recently filed amicus briefs

Federal Circuit Court
Date filed

Glover and Booze v. Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC

The Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit arguing that the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act prohibits debt collectors from collecting pay-to-pay or “convenience” fees—fees imposed for making a payment online or by phone—unless the agreement creating the debt expressly authorizes such fees, or a law affirmatively authorizes them.
Federal Circuit Court
Date filed

Ritz v. Nissan-Infiniti LT

The Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, arguing that the Fair Credit Reporting Act requires an entity that furnishes credit information to a consumer reporting agency (CRA) to perform a reasonable investigation when a consumer disputes the accuracy of information furnished to the CRA, even if the dispute could be characterized as a legal, rather than factual, dispute.
Federal Circuit Court
Date filed

Carrasquillo v. CICA Collection Agency

The Bureau filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit arguing that the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act’s prohibition on false, deceptive, or misleading representations is not limited to intentional or knowing misrepresentations and that the Bankruptcy Code does not bar FDCPA claims based on bankruptcy-related misrepresentations.
Federal Circuit Court
Date filed

Roberts v. Carter-Young, Inc.

The Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit arguing that the Fair Credit Reporting Act requires an entity that furnishes credit information to a consumer reporting agency (CRA) to perform a reasonable investigation when a consumer disputes the accuracy of information furnished to the CRA, even if the dispute could be characterized as a legal, rather than factual, dispute.

Suggest a case

We welcome your suggestions of cases that might make good candidates for the amicus program. We strongly recommend that you read our FAQs before submitting your request, especially if you are not an attorney.

Learn more about suggesting a case