Trump Signs Executive Orders on Payroll Taxes, Unemployment Benefits, and Student Loans

Trump Signs Executive Orders on Payroll Taxes, Unemployment Benefits, and Student Loans

After Congressional talks on a second coronavirus relief bill broke down, President Trump signed a series of executive orders intended to provide financial support to workers, the unemployed, and individuals with student loan debt. But because Congress—not the President—controls spending, some of these actions are likely to face legal challenges. Here are the highlights of the President’s orders, and some of the obstacles that could arise: Payroll Tax Suspension. The President ordered the IRS to suspend collection of the employee…

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$7.5 Million Google Settlement: How to Get Your Piece (or Crumb) of the Pie

$7.5 Million Google Settlement: How to Get Your Piece (or Crumb) of the Pie

Google recently settled a class-action lawsuit over its now-defunct Google+ social media service. This social network, designed to compete with Facebook, had a software glitch that potentially exposed the personal information—including names, email addresses, occupations, and ages—of up to 500,000 users since 2015. Google discovered and fixed the problem in 2018, but initially decided not to go public with it. After learning of the data breach, plaintiffs Matthew Matic, Zak Harris, Charles Olson, and Eileen M. Pinkowski filed a lawsuit…

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Wells Fargo Puts Mortgage Customers in Unwanted Forbearance Plans

Wells Fargo Puts Mortgage Customers in Unwanted Forbearance Plans

In 2016, Wells Fargo employees created roughly 3.5 million fake accounts to receive sales-based incentives. In 2018, a computing miscalculation caused hundreds of Wells Fargo customers to miss out on loan modifications and, perhaps, ultimately lose their homes to foreclosure. Now, Wells Fargo mortgage customers in at least 14 states have reported that they were inappropriately placed in CARES Act forbearances. (This kind of forbearance puts a pause on mortgage payments for borrowers hurt by the coronavirus pandemic for up…

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Navient Settles Lawsuit Over Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Navient Settles Lawsuit Over Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Congress created the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) to provide student loan discharges to those who work in the public interest, such as for a government agency or a nonprofit organization. For example, if you’re a full-time employee of a public school system, your employment would meet the requirements for PSLF, regardless of whether you’re a teacher, administrator, or support staff. Under this program, the remaining balance on your eligible loans is forgiven after you make 120 qualifying monthly payments under…

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Why You Should Check Your Credit Regularly During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Why You Should Check Your Credit Regularly During the Coronavirus Pandemic

If the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has hurt you financially, working out a deal with a creditor or lender to skip payments or pay less than the required minimum amount could impact your credit even though, in most cases, it shouldn’t. So, you need to be proactive in reviewing and protecting your credit during this national emergency. Credit Protections Under the CARES Act Under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, if you make an agreement with a…

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