BE ADVISED, “ACE CASH SERVICES” AND “ACE CASH” SHOULD NOT BE CONFUSED WITH THE FOLLOWING COMPANIES LICENSED THROUGH THE DFI OR OTHER WASHINGTON STATE AGENCIES:
- ACE AMERICA’S CASH EXPRESS
- ACE CASH ADVANCE
- ACE CASH EXPRESS, INC
- ACE FINANCING LLC
- ACE LENDING LLC
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 licensing status prior to giving the financial institution, company, or individual any nonpublic personal information, such as social security number and checking account access.
DFI has received complaints from Washington consumers who received threatening emails from entities claiming to be “Ace Cash Services” and “Ace Cash.” It appears that this activity is a loan collection scam.
A consumer reported receiving a threatening email related to Ace Cash Services regarding a delinquent loan. The email came from collection.legal@ace-settlement.com and contained what appeared to be a case file number and past due amount. The email included language stating that if there was no payment from the consumer, “serious allegations” including violation of federal banking regulation, check fraud, and theft by deception were to proceed. The email further included threats that the consumer’s employer would be contacted. The consumer reported never obtaining a loan with the entity.
Another consumer reported having received an email from Ace Cash indicating a Law and Investigation Department. The email contained the consumer’s social security number and routing number to a bank account. The email also stated that failure to settle the case would cause a court judgement against the consumer
The following additional information was contained in the emails:
Individual: Rich LaLonde, “Account Manager”
Phone: 347*468*8964
Email address:
[collection.legal@ace-settlement.com]
[Attorney.austin@aceservicesonline.com]
Those perpetrating these scams are not licensed by DFI. This entity is not registered to conduct business in Washington State by the Department of Licensing, the Department of Revenue, or the Secretary of State.
Payday Loan Debt Collection Laws
Collection activities are subject to the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Therefore, 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.
Debt collectors cannot state or imply that failure to pay a debt is a crime. They cannot call before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. They cannot harass or abuse consumers, or contact consumers' places of employment.
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.
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; or contact the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (855) 411-CFPB or online at www.consumerfinance.gov. 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.
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.
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.