The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) has received information about possible unlicensed loan modification services being conducted by an entity named Realty Support Center and an apparently affiliated entity named the National Preservation Center.

These organizations are offering to assist consumers with loan modification services. Providing these services requires a license. An entity’s failure to obtain a license is not only a violation of Washington State law but may indicate that it is engaging in other unlawful activity such as the collection of unauthorized fees and mismanagement of consumer files.

This apparent unlicensed activity is associated with the following phone numbers and websites:

Phone: 888-712-2496
877-544-4426
Website URL: http://realtysupportcenter.org
http://www.thenationalpreservationcenter.org

In all circumstances, DFI also strongly suggests verifying the business licenses of entity that is requesting personal or financial information or attempting to collect funds.

Verify License

DFI strongly recommends that consumers deal only with those lenders that are properly licensed to conduct business. Consumers can determine whether lenders are properly licensed using the “Verify a License” feature on the DFI’s website atwww.dfi.wa.gov/consumers/findcompany.htm.

Report Fraud

Washington State residents, if you are suspicious of unlicensed activity by a payday lender please contact the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions at 1-877-RING-DFI (746-4334), or online at www.dfi.wa.gov.

If you live in another state, find your state regulator(link is external).

If you feel you have been the victim of a loan 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 or online atwww.consumerfinance.gov(link is external). Because the scammers have access to bank account information and social security numbers, victims should consider themselves victims of identity theft and take appropriate precautions. The Federal Trade Commission 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 loan scam involving the Internet please contact the Internet Crime Complaint Center online at www.ic3.gov(link is external).

If you feel you have been the victim of a loan scam and are concerned about your personal financial information, contact your banking institution, and the three major credit bureaus.