Payday loan collection scams continue to make the news. Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson recently filed separate lawsuits against five payday lenders that made loans to borrowers with annual interest rates that were higher than allowed by law. The lawsuits also allege that the companies violated Minnesota law by making loans to Minnesotans without being properly licensed by the Minnesota Department of Commerce.
“Many people are living paycheck to paycheck right now, and unlicensed internet lenders offer easy credit. This credit comes with a hefty price tag and often leaves a rash of problems in its’ wake,” said Attorney General Swanson.
The five companies against which the lawsuits were filed are:
Flobridge Group, LLC of Utah
Integrity Advance of Delaware
Silver Leaf Management of Utah
Sure Advance, LLC of Delaware
Upfront Payday of Utah
Phony Payday Loan Collection Scam
In the past, our team researched and shared information about a payday loan collections scam. Hundreds of readers from all over the country posted comments about their personal experience with this type of scam. Unfortunately, we must report that this trend continues.
Attorney General Swanson said that, in recent months, some consumers who have taken out or even just explored the option of short term loans have been exposed to a payday loan collection phone scam.
Some consumers who did not even take out a payday loan, but who only submitted a full or partial application online, have been reporting that they are being harassed by overseas scammers who threaten to have them arrested if they do not pay, even though the consumer does not owe any money. These scam artists call the consumers at home or work, often pretending to be lawyers or law enforcement, then they demand large payments, and they frequently attempt to scare and intimidate consumers into paying with threats of arrest or legal action against them or their families. Our team here at DailyDollar has also received reports of threats to tell their boss at work.
Attorney General Swanson’s Advice To Consumers
Before doing business with an internet payday lender, DailyDollar advice is to make sure that the company is licensed to operate in the state in which you live. For example, someone living in Minnesota could refer to the Commerce Department for the state of Minnesota to determine if the company is truly licensed in that state or not before doing business with that company.