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FCAN Foundation's COVID-19 Emergency Response
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic presents a far-reaching and evolving challenge for the state of Florida, our nation, and the world. While there is much we do not know and cannot plan for, one thing is certain: now and in the coming months, we must take care of ourselves and our families. We urge Floridians to listen to their health care providers such as family doctors, ER docs, pediatricians, and other experts who know how to fight the virus. FCAN Foundation will continue to be a strong voice to protect our health, stand up for consumers, and ensure the safety and legitimacy of upcoming elections.
Pediatrician Elizabeth Hornbeck talks about COVID-19
An ER Doc Talks about COVID-19
Avoid COVID-19 SCAMS and Price Gouging
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36th Annual Trouble in Toyland Report
Downloads
2021 Trouble in Toyland Report (PDF 32 pages)
News Release Word Docx
Toyland 2021 FAQs Word Docx
Tips to Spot Counterfeit Toys
Time to Reign In Florida Predatory Lenders
High-Cost Predatory Rent-a-Bank Schemes in Florida
Florida law limits interest rates to protect its residents from predatory lending.
Read More.
Unfortunately, high-cost online lenders are evading Florida law by laundering their loans through rogue, out-of-state banks, which are not subject to state rate caps. In a “rent-a-bank” scheme, a loan program is designed and run by a nonbank lender that charges and collects interest and makes the bulk of the profits.
But a bank’s name is on the paperwork, and the lender claims it is a “bank loan” exempt from state law. Predatory rent-a-bank lending hurts consumers, disabled veterans, and small business owners who can lose their homes to 121% APR loans.
These installment lenders are now using rent-a-bank schemes to evade Florida law1:
- EasyPay offers high-cost credit through businesses across the country that sell auto repairs, furniture, home appliances, pets, wheels, and tires, among other items. EasyPay’s website does not disclose its rates, but examples from consumers in some states include $1,500 loans at 189% APR, funneled through Transportation Alliance Bank, Inc. dba TAB Bank (Utah).
- Elevate’s Rise uses FinWise Bank or CC Bank, both of Utah, to make $500 to $5,000 loans with APRs of 99% to 149%.
- Enova, which operates the CashNetUSA payday loan stores, uses NetCredit to make installment loans of $1,000 to $10,000 with APRs up to 100% through Republic Bank & Trust of Kentucky.
- OppLoans (aka OppFi) makes $400 to $4,000 loans at 160% APR through FinWise Bank, First Electronic Bank of Utah, or CC Bank.
- Axcess Financial, which operates the Check 'n Go and Allied Cash Advance payday loan stores, uses CC Bank to offer Xact installment loans of $1,000 to $5,000 at 145% APR to 225% APR.
- Florida small businesses, including a realty company and a general contractor, have also been subject to 73% to 100% APR rent-a-bank loans by World Business Lenders. Borrowers had no contact with the bank and WBL in some cases signed the bank’s name using a power of attorney.
1. Source: National Consumer Law Center https://www.nclc.org/issues/high-cost-small-loans/rent-a-bank-loan-watch-list.html
The legality of rent-a-bank schemes is questionable. But in 2020, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency approved a “fake lender” rule that prevents courts from following the money to prevent usury law evasions. A second set of OCC and FDIC rules preempting state rate caps on assigned loans also help protect high-cost loans laundered through banks. Both rules have been challenged.
To preserve Florida’s authority to stop predatory lending, we must:
- Overturn recent FDIC and OCC rules that protect “rent-a-bank” schemes.
- Stop banks from helping high-cost nonbank lenders evade state law.
- Enact a national 36% interest rate cap covering all lenders, including banks, and allow states to set
lower limits.
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Used Car Recalls Press Release and Files
Unsafe Used Cars (docx file)
Florida PIRG Unsafe Used Cars For Sale
Find out if a used car has been recalled
FCAN Foundation stands for an America where everyone gets their fair share, does their fair share, and pays their fair share; and where everyone plays by the same rules.
