The Path to an $18M Fine is Paved with Good Intentions
Brigit App and a subscription you couldn’t cancel
App-based nonbank lender Brigit was recently hit with an $18 million fine by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
The crux of the enforcement action was that Brigit’s subscription was incredibly difficult to cancel. As a result, customers were charged even after they’d attempted to cancel or indicated they wished to cancel.
“Brigit trapped those consumers least able to afford it into monthly membership plans they struggled to escape from,” said Sam Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Companies that offer cash advances and other alternative financial products have to play by the same rules as other businesses or face potential action by the FTC.”
The fine represents refunds to consumers who paid into Brigit’s subscription scheme after attempting to cancel.
Brigit claims it is offering a loan product to borrowers who otherwise would have difficulty accessing credit.
In other words, the defense offered by Brigit is that they have good intentions, so the high level of scrutiny is unwarranted.
Jason Mikula at Fintech Business Weekly takes a closer look at the case and says that Brigit may have a…
