Buy Now, Pay Later, or BNPL, usually lets a shopper split a purchase into short payments. The CFPB previously treated some BNPL lenders as credit-card providers for certain protections, but later said it would not prioritize enforcement based on that interpretive rule. CRS has described BNPL as an active policy issue, including questions about Truth in Lending Act coverage, credit reporting, and consumer dispute rights. Supporters say BNPL can be a useful no-interest payment tool. Critics worry that consumers may overborrow, miss payments, or hold debts that are not visible in normal credit reports. Paying in four parts can help with a tight week, but it can also hide how much someone is really spending. The rules should make the cost and risk obvious before checkout.