Debt
What Americans Owe and Why
This Lender Said Its Loans Would Help Tennesseans. It Has Sued More Than 110,000 of Them.
The Flex Loan, a type of payday loan pioneered by Advance Financial, has burdened low-income borrowers while generating huge profits for lenders. Tennessee lawmakers declined to rein in the lending business, even as other states did.
Local Reporting Network
How a Connecticut DMV Employee Made Thousands by Selling Towed Cars
For years, a towing company cut the lines at the DMV in exchange for deep discounts on towed cars, according to an internal DMV report, showing the agency’s oversight failures.
Local Reporting Network
Tribal Lenders Say They Can Charge Over 600% Interest. These States Stopped Them.
Online lenders tied to Native American tribes argue that they aren’t subject to state lending laws, but they backed away from operating in six states where attorneys have acted forcefully to protect consumers.
How Many Cars Have Connecticut Towing Companies Sold? The DMV Can’t Tell Us.
When reporters set out to quantify the impact of a Connecticut law that allows companies to sell some cars they’ve towed after just 15 days, the DMV said records would cost $47,000; it has revised the estimate but hasn't given us the records.
Local Reporting Network
Featured Reporters
Impact of Our Reporting
El DMV y los principales legisladores de Connecticut prometen revisar las leyes de remolque
Los planes para reformar las leyes de remolque en la sesión legislativa de este año siguen a una investigación de The Connecticut Mirror y ProPublica que descubrió que los remolcadores pueden vender los autos tan solo 15 días después de recogerlos.
Local Reporting Network
Feds Fine Baker College $2.5 Million for Deceptive Marketing That Left Students With Debts and Regrets
A 2022 investigation detailed how the once-growing Michigan school built its reputation on slick advertising despite low graduation rates and leaving many students burdened with heavy debt.
Connecticut DMV and Top Lawmakers Vow to Review Towing Laws
The plans to reform towing laws in this year’s legislative session follow a Connecticut Mirror and ProPublica investigation that found people’s cars can be sold just 15 days after they’re towed.
Local Reporting Network
Series
Series: Desperate Loans: Tribal Lenders’ Profits Built on High-Interest Loans
Series: The Title Pawn Trap: High-Interest Title Lending in Georgia
Series: Homeowner Hell: Investigating Colorado’s Unregulated Homeowners Associations
Series: Disaster After Disaster: Growing Storms, Faltering Aid
Series: Coming to Collect: Investigating Public Housing in Annapolis
Series: Financial Aid Loophole: Giving Up Guardianship to Get Aid
Series: The Bad Bet: How Illinois Bet on Video Gambling and Lost
Series: Driven Into Debt: How Tickets Burden the Poor
Series: Too Broke for Bankruptcy: How Bankruptcy Fails Those Who Need It Most
Series: Debt Inc.: Lending and Collecting in America
Series: Foreclosure Crisis: How Banks and Government Fail Homeowners
What We’re Watching
During Donald Trump’s second presidency, ProPublica will focus on the areas most in need of scrutiny. Here are some of the issues our reporters will be watching — and how to get in touch with them securely.
Learn more about our reporting team. We will continue to share our areas of interest as the news develops.
Sharon Lerner
I cover health and the environment and the agencies that govern them, including the Environmental Protection Agency.
Andy Kroll
I cover justice and the rule of law, including the Justice Department, U.S. attorneys and the courts.
Melissa Sanchez
I report on immigration and labor, and I am based in Chicago.
Jesse Coburn
I cover housing and transportation, including the companies working in those fields and the regulators overseeing them.
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