Updated: July 27, 2017
Originally posted: November 12, 2014
Alert Number: CA047867_7/24/17(7/18)

The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) has received a complaint from a Washington consumer against Ace Cash Express. The consumer claimed that an individual named Frank Dollard, representing Debt Settlement Division, was attempting to collect a $750 loan. The consumer reported that the individual demanded pre-paid cards in lieu of payment, and threatened jail time if the consumer failed to provide the payment. A case number was provided, but the consumer states they have not taken out a loan.

In another complaint, a consumer reported that an individual named Mike Bell, on behalf of Chris Robinson & Associates (or C R and Associates), has called them regarding the collection of loan owed to Ace Cash Express. The consumer reported that they had taken out a loan in the past, but had documentation of paying it off. The consumer stated they received threatening messages, and was not provided with proof of the debt.

Another consumer claimed that Ace Cash Express has been contacting him regarding the collection of a loan for $750. The consumer reported that he never took out a loan from this company, and the company purportedly has failed to provide any other information about the loan.

These facts for both complaints are alleged by the consumers, and the Department has not verified this information.

Here is the contact information that is associated with these apparent scams:

[adebtrecoveryagency@gmail.com]

979*633*4344
302*922*5317

Those perpetrating these scams are not licensed by the Department and are not registered to conduct business in Washington State by the Department of Licensing, the Department of Revenue, or the Secretary of State. The Department of Licensing licenses and regulates collection agencies under RCW 19.16.

DFI warns Washington consumers:

• Never send money or provide access to your bank or credit card in response to threatening telephone calls or emails you receive claiming that you owe a debt.
• Never give any personal 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.
• Check that 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.
• Check the license status of collection agencies with the State of Washington Department of Licensing at www.dol.wa.gov(link is external).

Please note that Ace Cash Express should not be confused with the following company(ies) licensed to conduct business through the Secretary of State, Department of Revenue, and/or Department of Licensing:

ACE CASH EXPRESS, INC.
1231 Greenway Drive, Suite 600
Irving, TX 75038-2511

ACE Cash Express, Inc. (ACE) has provided the following information to help consumers determine when a legitimate communication is received from this company:

ACE does not send emails from “gmail.com” accounts. All ACE emails come from an “acecashexpress.com” account. Additionally, when ACE employees contact a consumer by telephone, they will identify themselves as being from ACE Cash Express.

ACE identifies itself on all correspondence. All correspondence regarding collections comes directly from ACE corporate headquarters in Irving, Texas. A consumer can request a Verification of Debt at any time and ACE will provide the verification as required by law.

Important Information for Washington State Consumers

Residents of the State of Washington are informed that Washington State law provides in RCW 31.45.105(1)(d) and (3) that a “small loan” (sometimes referred to as a “payday loan”) made by an unlicensed entity to a person physically located in Washington State is uncollectible and unenforceable in Washington State. A “small loan” is defined in RCW 31.45.073 and is a loan that does not exceed $700. Collection activities involving loans of $700 or less are subject to RCW 31.45.082, which limits the time, place, and manner in which a payday loan may be collected. Payday lenders must also provide borrowers with an installment plan if the borrower is not able to pay the small loan back when it is due.

Information About Federal Debt Collection Law

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. If you receive a communication from a party claiming that a debt is owed, you can 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 federal debt collection laws, you can contact the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-FTC-HELP or online at http://www.ftc.gov.

Prevent and Report Identity Theft

Consumers should never make payments over the phone or via email to a third party debt collector that refuses to provide a written validation notice. Even if the party seems to have some of your personal or financial information, you should not make payments or provide bank account or credit card information without receiving a written validation notice. If the scammers already have your bank account information, social security number, or other nonpublic information, you may be a victim of identity theft. 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 financial scam and are concerned about your personal financial information, contact your bank 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).

Report Suspicious Activity, Scams or Fraud

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.

Washington State residents only: If you are a victim of a collection scam or if you suspect illegal or fraudulent activity involving a financial product or service, please contact the Department of Financial Institutions at 1-877-RING-DFI (746-4334), or online at www.dfi.wa.gov. You may also wish to contact the state of Washington Office of the Attorney General at www.atg.wa.gov(link is external).

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(link is external).

All consumers, if you feel you have been the victim of a scam you might also with to contact the FTC at 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357) or online at http://www.ftc.gov; or contact the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (855) 411-CFPB (2372) or online at www.consumerfinance.gov(link is external).

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