Consumer & Tax

Financial-services companies began to reduce monetary settlements to consumers assumed to be Black or lower-income as soon as Donald Trump became president, according to a working paper published Thursday. 

This report is a collection of chapters written by consumer advocates across the country making the case that consideration of race should be central to the practice of consumer law. Within, readers will find concepts and case studies that the authors hope will assist consumer advocates…

Website that tracks debt collection court cases in real time and has begun doing so in five states. The DCL also uses the arts and storytelling to change the narrative about debt justice. Advocates may use the online debt collection tracker to examine which neighborhoods are hardest hit by debt…

On September 29, 2021, the Massachusetts Access to Justice Commission sponsored a presentation for community advocates in Massachusetts about dealing with debt resulting from intimidation, bullying, and domestic violence - also known as coerced debt. Kristen Bor-Zale, Equal Justice Works fellow…

In view of the state of emergency due to COVID-19, Massachusetts has extended the Moratorium on utility shutoffs until the state of emergency in Massachusetts is lifted, or there is further communication.  See the attached letter that DPU is sending to utility companies, which sets forth…