In the movies and on TV they're easily recognizable by the plaid coat, slicked back hair and too-good-to-be-true sales pitch. In real life they aren't so easy to recognize and are scattered across the country in locations conveniently selected to prey on young, lower-income, less financially savvy individuals, many of whom serve in our country's military.

Predatory auto dealerships are just one of the institutions on the list to be reined in by the financial regulatory reform bill before Congress. A provision in the bill would place auto dealers under the authority of the new Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection. But the Senate has requested to insert a provision into that bill to exclude auto dealers from rulemaking, supervision or enforcement by the BCFP.

The Pentagon has weighed in on the issue, supporting the inclusion of auto dealers under the supervision of the BCFP and against the amendment over concern that many members of the military fall victim to the practices of predatory lenders.