If you’ve ever felt fraudulent with a mortgage company, car lender, credit reporting agency, or other financial institution, you may have sought help from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Millions of Americans have filed complaints with agencies in recent years. Sometimes they did it after a long failure with customer service representatives. In other cases, it was introduced by friends, family, or supporters.
The number of complaints about payday loans, debt collection practices and more has been steadily increasing. Federal agencies had 2.7 million last year, half of which provided some relief for consumers, according to agency data.
Complaints to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau surged in 2024
Note: Includes all CFPB complaints filed between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2024 (Lucas Waldron, Propobrica)
But now, those who recently filed complaints, those who were part of a larger case, or who were victims of fraud in the future, may no longer be able to rely on agents. That’s because the Trump administration is trying to dismantle the CFPB, and its leaders have dropped lawsuits against major companies such as Capital One and Rocket Homes. (The company praised the decision to stop the lawsuit and said it challenged the CFPB allegations.)
A legal battle for the agency’s future is underway, and some consumers are already feeling the impact. As Propublica reported today, dozens of ongoing station probes have been effectively frozen, denies accountability and economic relief to potentially vast numbers of consumers.
“The bureau has become dark,” an official from an agency filed a recent court.
The fallout affects millions of Americans across political spheres, including those living in states who supported President Donald Trump’s election. In fact, consumers in many states, including Georgia, Florida, Nevada, Louisiana, and Texas, have filed complaints with government agencies for some of the highest rates in the country.
CFPB complaints come from across the country – some of the highest rates in states voting for Trump
Note: Includes all CFPB complaints filed from December 1, 2011 until data is accessed on March 16, 2025 (Lucas Waldron/Propublica)
The consequences of the administration’s actions are widespread and confused, both inside and outside the department, about who is sifting through complaints about fraud, and whether the institution has sufficient resources to help people, including student borrowers, military service members and those seeking to build trust.
Propublica wants to understand the fallout that may come from repelling federal consumer watchdogs. i need your help. If you or someone you know, please fill out the form below:
We filed a complaint with the CFPB over the past year. There was a problem with the company that the CFPB rejected or stopped investigating. We have been in touch with the CFPB regarding investigations or resolutions over the past year. We worked with communities that rely on CFPB resources.
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