Truth in Lending Act

The Truth in Lending Act is a United States federal law that was first passed in 1968. It is designed to promote the informed use of consumer credit by requiring disclosures about its terms and cost. The Act standardizes the manner in which costs associated with borrowing are calculated and disclosed. It is part of a larger set of laws known as the Consumer Credit Protection Act.

Application to Unfair Lending Practices

The Truth in Lending Act works to protect consumers from unfair lending practices in a number of ways:

• Clear disclosure of terms: The Act requires that lenders provide clear, detailed information about the terms of a loan. This includes the annual percentage rate (APR), the total cost of the loan, and the total amount to be repaid over the life of the loan. This allows consumers to compare different loan offers more effectively.
• Right of rescission: For certain types of loans, such as home equity loans or refinances, the Act provides a “cooling off” period during which the borrower can rescind the loan agreement without penalty.
• Accurate advertising: The Act has strict guidelines for how loans can be advertised to prevent misleading or deceptive practices. For instance, if an ad states a rate of finance charge, it must state the rate as an “annual percentage rate.”
• Limitations on certain loan features: The Act also places limitations on certain loan practices, such as prepayment penalties and mandatory arbitration clauses.

Filing a Claim with the FTC

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is one of the entities responsible for enforcing the Truth in Lending Act. If a person believes that a lender has violated the Act, they can file a claim with the FTC. The FTC can take a range of actions in response to such a complaint, including conducting an investigation, imposing fines on the lender, or taking legal action to stop the lender’s practices.

However, the FTC typically does not intervene in individual disputes. Instead, it uses complaints to monitor patterns of bad behavior and to determine where to focus its enforcement efforts. Those who believe they’ve been wronged under TILA may need to seek redress through a private lawsuit or by contacting their state attorney general’s office.

When Does the Truth in Lending Act Apply to Creditors?

The Truth in Lending Act applies to creditors in a broad range of circumstances, as it covers most types of consumer credit. Here’s a general overview:

• Regular Business: TILA applies to a person or business that regularly extends consumer credit. Typically, this is interpreted as meaning the creditor has extended credit more than 25 times in the previous calendar year.
• Consumer Purpose: The Act applies when the credit is extended to consumers primarily for personal, family, or household purposes. It doesn’t apply to business or commercial loans.
• Secured and Unsecured Loans: TILA applies to both secured (like a mortgage or car loan where the loan is backed by collateral) and unsecured loans (like a credit card or personal loan).
• Creditors Subject to TILA: The Act applies to a wide range of creditors, including banks, credit unions, auto dealerships, mortgage lenders, and other businesses that extend consumer credit.
• Real Estate Specific Rules: For real estate transactions, additional disclosures are required by the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) in addition to TILA. Together, TILA and RESPA form the basis for most of the regulation of mortgage lending in the United States.

In short, if a business regularly extends credit to consumers for personal, family, or household purposes—whether that credit is secured or unsecured—the Truth in Lending Act likely applies. This ensures that consumers receive necessary information about the credit terms and have protection against certain misleading or predatory practices.

The specific requirements and regulations can vary based on the nature of the loan and the creditor, so it’s important for creditors to be fully informed about their obligations under the law.

What Must a Creditor Disclose to a Consumer?

Under the Truth in Lending Act, creditors must provide consumers with certain key information about a loan before the consumer becomes legally obligated. These disclosures must be clear, conspicuous, and in writing. Here are some of the key disclosures requirements:

• Finance Charges: This is the total cost of the credit, including interest and other charges, expressed as a dollar amount.
• Annual Percentage Rate (APR): The cost of credit, including interest and other charges, expressed as a yearly rate. This allows consumers to compare costs among different lenders.
• Amount Financed: The total amount of credit provided to the consumer.
• Total Payments: This is the sum of all payments that the consumer will have made at the end of the loan, including repayment of the principal and all finance charges.
• Payment Schedule: Creditors must provide details about when payments are due, the number of payments, and the amount of each payment.
• Late Payment Penalties: If there are penalties for late payments, these must be clearly disclosed.
• Prepayment Penalties: If there are penalties for paying off the loan early, these must also be disclosed.
• Default: If the loan agreement includes measures the creditor can take in case of default, these must be disclosed.

There may be additional disclosure requirements for certain types of loans, such as mortgages or home equity lines of credit.

The purpose of these disclosure requirements is to ensure that consumers have all the information they need to make informed credit decisions. The creditors must provide these disclosures in a form that the consumer can keep and refer back to.

What Happens if a Creditor Violates the Act?

If a creditor violates TILA, they may face several consequences:

• Civil Liability: The Act provides for both actual and statutory damages in civil lawsuits. Actual damages are awarded for a direct loss caused by the violation, while statutory damages can range from $100 to $1,000 for individual actions and can be higher for class actions.
• Rescission: In certain circumstances, such as when a consumer’s home secures the loan, the consumer may have the right to rescind or cancel the loan.
• Administrative Enforcement: Several agencies, including the Federal Trade Commission and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, can take action against violators. This can include fines and orders to change business practices.

Defenses to a Truth in Lending Act Claim:

There are a few defenses to a Truth in Lending Act claim:

• Good Faith Error: If a creditor can demonstrate that a violation was unintentional and resulted from a bona fide error, such as a clerical error, computer malfunction, or printing error, they may be able to use this as a defense.
• Correction of Errors: If a creditor discovers errors in the disclosure, they can avoid liability by correcting the errors within a certain period of time.
• Statute of Limitations: TILA claims must be brought within a certain period of time. Typically, this is one year for damages and up to three years for rescission rights.

Should I Consult an Attorney?

Say you’re a business that extends credit to consumers. In that case, it may be wise to consult with a business attorney to ensure you understand and are complying with your obligations under the Act.

LegalMatch is a great resource for finding a knowledgeable attorney who handles consumer law or banking law cases. They can guide you through the complexities of TILA, help ensure your business practices are in compliance, and represent you if a consumer alleges a violation of the Act.

If you are facing a claim under TILA, it’s especially crucial to consult with an attorney to help you understand your options and potential defenses. LegalMatch can help you find the right attorney for your needs.