WASHINGTON—The CFPB has filed a lawsuit in federal district court against the NDG Enterprise, a “complex web of commonly controlled companies,” for collecting money consumers did not owe.
The CFPB alleges that the defendants illegally collected loan amounts and fees that were void or that consumers had no obligations to repay, and falsely threatened consumers with lawsuits and imprisonment. The CFPB said it is seeking to “end the companies’ alleged illegal practices and obtain monetary relief for consumers.”
“We are taking action against the NDG Enterprise for collecting money it had no right to take from consumers,” said CFPB Director Richard Cordray. “Companies making loans within the U.S. have to comply with federal law, and the Consumer Bureau will work to ensure that American consumers receive the protections and fair treatment they deserve.”
The NDG Enterprise originates and collects payday loans over the Internet to consumers in all 50 states, including states such as New York where those loans are void because they violate state usury caps and licensing requirements. The CFPB’s complaint names NDG Financial Corp., Northway Financial Corp., Ltd., Northway Broker, Ltd., E-Care Contact Centers, Ltd., Blizzard Interactive Corp., Sagewood Holdings, Ltd., New World Consolidated Lending Corp., New World Lenders Corp., Payroll Loans First Lenders Corp., and New World RRSP Lenders Corp. All of the defendants except Northway Financial Corp. Ltd. and Northway Broker, Ltd. are Canadian corporations. Northway Financial Corp. Ltd. and Northway Broker, Ltd. are incorporated in Malta. Sagewood Holdings, Ltd. owns a majority interest in NDG Financial Corp., which owns all of the other defendants.
The CFPB’s complaint alleges that the defendants have violated the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act’s prohibition on unfair, deceptive, and abusive acts and practices. The CFPB’s complaint alleges, among other things, that the NDG Enterprise:
- Made false threats to consumers: In numerous instances, the defendants falsely represented to consumers that non-payment of debt would result in lawsuit, arrest, imprisonment, or wage garnishment, despite lacking the intention or legal authority to take such actions, the agency stated.
- Deceived consumers about their debts: Under state law, consumers had no obligation to repay the loans in question that were made by the NDG Enterprise, the CFPB explained. “However, the NDG Enterprise told consumers expressly or by implication that they were obligated to repay loan amounts and fees that they did not actually owe.”
- Used illegal wage-assignment clauses: In numerous instances, the defendants included unlawful, irrevocable wage-assignment clauses in loan agreements, the agency alleged. “These clauses allowed the defendants to take payments directly from consumers’ employers’ payroll accounts.”
The CFPB wants the defendants to refund the money they took from consumers where the loan amounts were void or the consumer otherwise was not obligated to repay the loan. The Bureau’s complaint also seeks additional damages and costs. The Bureau also wants the defendants to adhere to all federal consumer financial protection laws, including prohibitions on unfair, deceptive, and abusive acts and practices.