What a difference a word makes. Turns out that a request for information (RFI) by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (BCFP) in May had a typo in its headline, resulting in “compliant” being substituted for “complaint.”
A month later, the bureau is publishing a correction, which is due to appear in Friday’s Federal Register.
Published May 14 in the Federal Register, the RFI seeks input on the Consumer Complaint Intake System Company Portal Boarding Form Information Collection System. But a close read of the May 14 notice reveals the agency spelled out “compliant” rather than “complaint” in that title.
It’s a significant difference – but clearly not an intentional one.
The BCFP’s portal is maintained in compliance with the 2010 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. The RFI poses questions about the company boarding form’s utility and possible improvements.
The portal “allows companies to view and respond to complaints submitted to the Bureau, supports the efficient routing of consumer complaints to companies, and enables a timely and secure response by companies to the Bureau and consumers,” according to the May 14 notice.
The bureau estimates that 300 companies use this form annually, for a total annual “burden” of 60 hours. The RFI seeks specific input on:
(a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Bureau, including whether the information will have practical utility;
(b) The accuracy of the Bureau’s estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the validity of the methods and the assumptions used;
(c) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
(d) Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
The public comment period is open until July 13.