CFPB Sues Walmart, Fintech for Illegally Opening Accounts (3)

Walmart Inc. and one of its financial technology partners allegedly opened expensive bank accounts for delivery drivers of the world’s largest retailer without their consent, a US consumer protection agency said on Monday.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau sued Walmart and Branch Messenger Inc., claiming they required those in the Spark Driver program to be paid through costly accounts or be fired.

A Walmart store in Martinez, California

Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg

“Walmart made false promises, illegally opened accounts, and took advantage of more than a million delivery drivers,” CFPB Director Rohit Chopra said in a statement after the agency sued the two companies in Minnesota federal court. ...