The Connecticut Attorney General and FCC warn consumers about increased student loan debt scam robocalls and robotexts following the Supreme Court decision on student loan forgiveness. They provide tips on how to spot scams and advise consumers not to share personal information and to report suspicious calls.
In-house legal teams should review vendor agreements with telemarketing or call center services, customer agreements for student loan servicing, and any data processing agreements involving personal information. Specific clauses to scrutinize include telemarketing and robocall compliance provisions, consent mechanisms for automated calls and texts, data privacy and security terms, fraud detection and reporting obligations, and breach notification clauses. Changes may be needed to enhance consent requirements (e.g., prior express written consent for autodialed calls/texts), implement stricter robocall controls and monitoring, update fraud prevention protocols with real-time detection, ensure alignment with laws like the TCPA and telemarketing sales rules, and include penalties for non-compliance along with regular audit requirements.
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Scammers
Industry
TelemarketingOfficial Press Release
https://portal.ct.gov/ag/press-releases/2023-press-releases/increased-risk-of-student-loan-debt-scam-robocalls-and-robotexts
consumercomplaints.fcc.gov
https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov
https://www.dir.ct.gov/ag/complaint/
Connecticut Attorney General Enforcement Page
https://portal.ct.gov/AG/Privacy/Privacy-Resources
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of states and local governments in filing suit against NHTSA over its rule weakening fuel economy standards for new passenger cars and light trucks. The lawsuit alleges the rule violates the agency’s statutory mandate and the Administrative Procedure Act; no penalty or final remedy is reported.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a multistate coalition suing the EPA over its repeal of greenhouse gas pollution limits for power plants and separately filed a notice of intent to sue over regulation of existing gas plants. The coalition asks the court to overturn the repeal and restore the protections; the release reports no monetary penalty or final order.
$400.0M
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced a $400 million settlement with Sandoz Inc. and Fougera Pharmaceuticals Inc. resolving allegations that the generic drug manufacturers conspired to inflate prices, limit competition, and restrain trade. The settlement includes consumer restitution and injunctive reforms; court approval was being sought.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general in submitting a comment letter opposing a DHS rule that allows certain affirmative asylum applications to be referred to removal proceedings without an asylum officer interview. The coalition argues the rule violates federal law and harms asylum seekers, including unaccompanied children; this was a policy opposition letter, not a privacy enforcement action.
Connecticut and Massachusetts co-led a coalition protest urging FERC to reject the proposed NextEra Energy-Dominion Energy merger. The coalition argued that the merger could increase market power and threaten energy affordability, reliability, and competition; the release does not report a final enforcement decision or penalty.
Connecticut officials warned residents about potential home improvement scams before an approaching nor’easter, including unlicensed contractors, high-pressure sales tactics, and demands for full payment upfront. The release provides consumer guidance on checking contractors and contract requirements; it does not announce an enforcement action or penalty against a named entity.