Updated: June 12, 2017
Originally posted: February 02, 2015
The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) warns consumers to never give any nonpublic person information, such as social security number, credit card, or bank account information to any individual, website, or company without first verifying their identity and license status.
Consumers can determine whether a financial services company or individual is properly licensed to conduct business in the State of Washington by using the “Verify a License” feature on the DFI’s website at www.dfi.wa.gov. Consumers can also check license status with the Department of Licensing at www.dol.wa.gov.
DFI has received reports of apparent scams conducted by individuals claiming to represent Shoreline Online, LLC in the collection of a payday loan debt. Consumers have reported receiving phone calls from individuals claiming to represent Shoreline Online, LLC. It was also reported that a consumer was contacted by an individual representing Shoreline Online, LLC and it was stated that if the debt was not paid immediately the consumer would face legal and criminal action. Although several consumers stated they never applied for a payday loan, the callers insisted that they were calling to discuss collection of an online payday loan debt. According to one consumer, an individual called and gave the name “Core Recovery” and indicated they were collecting on behalf of Shoreline Online, LLC.
In all cases, the callers would not provide information such as the location of the company and would not provide proof of the debt.
These apparent scams are associated with the following contact information:
Shoreline Online LLC:
telephone - 800*250*5831; 971*404*2695
Core Recovery:
email [settlementdivision@clerk.com]
telephone - 630*453*1951; 536-231-2627;
fax - 954*246*0139
DFI cautions that unlicensed entities often engage in certain practices that indicate they are committing a fraud or otherwise violating Washington State law. For instance, such entities often use non-business email addresses (such as @gmail.com, @yahoo.com, or other similar easily obtained email addresses) to send correspondence, threaten legal or criminal action if consumers do not reply immediately, or contain a variety of typographical and spelling errors in their correspondence to consumers.
Debt Collection Laws
If you received a loan from a lender or owed money to a business and someone other than the lender or business is now attempting to collect from you, the collection activity may be subject to the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). If you receive a communication from a party claiming that a debt is owed, you should request a “written validation notice,” which must include the amount of the debt, the name of the creditor you owe, and your rights under the FDCPA. If you have questions regarding debt collection laws, contact the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-FTC-HELP, or online at www.ftc.gov.
If someone threatens to garnish your wages, contact your employer, or uses threatening, intimidating, or offensive language, report such actions to state and federal regulators. See below for how to contact the appropriate state and federal regulator.
Report Suspicious Activity, Scams or Fraud
Washington State residents only: If you suspect illegal or fraudulent activity involving a financial product or service, please contact the Department at 1-877-RING-DFI (746-4334), or online at www.dfi.wa.gov.
If you live in another state, go to this webpage to find the regulator in your home state. http://mortgage.nationwidelicensingsystem.org/consumer/Pages/AgencyContacts.aspx