U.S. Bank fined $37.5M for creating unauthorized accounts for sales goals

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on Thursday fined U.S. Bancorp $37.5 million for aggressive sales tactics in the early 2010s, including opening credit cards and other accounts on customers who had not requested them.

The government's consumer watchdog on banks said that the Minneapolis-based company, which runs U.S. Bank, violated three federal laws by opening accounts that "likely caused substantial injury" to customers from fees and damaged credit.

In addition to the fine, the agency said U.S. Bank must develop a plan to return all the fees and costs with interest.

https://www.startribune.com/u-s-bank-settles-government-probe-into-sales-tactics-with-37-5m-fine/600193837/