The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) warns consumers that before doing business with a financial institution, company, or individual, they should make sure that the entity is properly licensed. Consumers are urged to verify license status prior to giving the financial institution, company, or individual any nonpublic personal information, such as social security number or bank account number or access.

DFI received a complaint indicating that a consumer received a telephone call from a representative claiming to be with “Global Service Group.” The representative threatened the consumer with legal action if she did not pay on an outstanding loan from “Shoreline, LLC.” The consumer reported verifying that she had no outstanding loans, but had previously obtained and paid back a payday loan.

Contact information included in the complaint:

Representative Name: “Mark Maxwell”

Phone Numbers: 1-855-380-5925
503-836-9405

BE ADVISED, “Global Service Group” SHOULD NOT BE CONFUSED WITH GLOBAL SERVICE GROUP, LLC, A CURRENTLY LICENSED COMPANY IN WASHINGTON STATE.

IN ADDITION, “Shoreline, LLC” SHOULD NOT BE CONFUSED WITH SHORELINE LENDING, LLC, A REGISTERED CORPORATION WITH THE WASHINGTON SECRETARY OF STATE.

Those perpetrating this scam are not licensed by DFI nor registered to conduct business in Washington State by the Department of Licensing, the Department of Revenue, or the Secretary of State.

Verify Licenses

DFI strongly recommends that consumers deal only with companies or individuals that are properly licensed to conduct business. Consumers can determine whether an entity is properly licensed using the “Verify a License” feature on the DFI’s website atwww.dfi.wa.gov.

Debt Collection Laws

Collection activities by third parties are 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 please contact the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-FTC HELP or online at www.ftc.gov(link is external).

Report Fraud

Washington State residents, if you are suspicious of unlicensed activity by a payday lender please contact the Department at1-877-RING-DFI (746-4334), or online at www.dfi.wa.gov.

If you feel you have been the victim of a scam please contact the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357) or online at www.ftc.gov(link is external); or contact the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (855) 411-CFPB (2372) or online atwww.consumerfinance.gov(link is external). If the scammers already have your bank account information, social security number, or other nonpublic information, you may be a victim of identity theft and you should take appropriate precautions. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has information for victims of identity theft available online at www.ftc.gov(link is external).

If you feel you have been the victim of a scam involving the internet please contact the Internet Crime Complaint Center online atwww.ic3.gov(link is external).

If you feel you have been the victim of a financial scam and are concerned about your personal financial information, contact your banking institution and the three major credit bureaus. Procedures for contacting the credit bureaus are available on the FTC’s website at www.ftc.gov(link is external).