SoLo Funds, a Los Angeles-based fintech startup, is facing a class action lawsuit filed on October 16, accusing the company of “unlawful and deceptive” lending practices. As first reported by Bloomberg, the lawsuit alleges that SoLo misled users by disguising hidden fees as “tips” to lenders and “donations” to the company. While these fees are technically optional, the suit claims they are difficult to avoid, making loans more expensive than advertised. Deceptive Lending Practices Alleged in Lawsuit SoLo Funds allows users to request small loans, up to $575, which are
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has filed a lawsuit against SoLo Funds, an online lending platform, over its lending practices. According to the CFPB, SoLo Funds used deceptive tactics to ensure almost every borrower paid hidden fees despite advertising zero-cost loans. Misleading Tactics and Hidden Fees SoLo Funds markets itself as a consumer-friendly alternative to high-cost, short-term loans. However, the CFPB alleges that SoLo’s practice of requesting borrowers pay “tips” and “donations” hides the actual cost of their loans. The lawsuit alleges that from March 2018 through December 2022, SoLo received