Alert number: CA059034_12/24/24
Overview
The State of Washington Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) has received complaints from Washington consumers that Sokaogon Chippewa Community may be operating as an online tribal lender, under the following business names:
- Post Lake Lending
- Sokaogon Finance Inc dba White Pine Lending
These businesses claim to be economic development arms of the Sokaogon Chippewa Community. The Sokaogon Chippewa Community claims to be a federally recognized sovereign American Indian Tribe located in Wisconsin.
Not Licensed to Operate in Washington
Sokaogon Chippewa Community and their economic development arms are not licensed by DFI and are not registered to conduct business in Washington State by the Department of Licensing, Department of Revenue, or the Secretary of State.
Sokaogon Chippewa Community and their economic development arms have been associated with the following contact information:
Post Lake Lending
Tel: 888*205*0023
PO Box 368
Crandon, WI 54520
support@postlakelending.com
[https://www.postlakelending.com/]
Sokaogon Finance Inc dba White Pine Lending
Tel: 855*228*6721
3051 Sand Lake Rd
Crandon, WI 54520
[https://whitepinelending.com/]
Contact Information Associated with These Businesses
If you have a complaint against any of these entities, you may contact:
Sokaogon Chippewa Community
715*478*7500
3051 Sand Lake Rd
Crandon, WI 54520
Not To Be Confused With
White Pine Lending should not be confused with the following:
- White Pine Financial LLC: [https://whitepinefinancial.com/]
- White Pine Funding LLC: [https://whitepinefunding.com/]
Important Information for Washington Consumers About Unlicensed Lenders
Washington residents only: If you suspect unlicensed activity by a payday lender or consumer loan company, please contact the Department at 1-877-746-4334, or online at www.dfi.wa.gov. Even if the activity involves a loan you obtained over the internet, a license is generally still required. If a collection agency is attempting to collect a debt from you, check that the company is licensed by the Washington State Department of Licensing.
Make sure that the entity is licensed. Consumers can use the “Verify a License” feature on DFI’s website at www.dfi.wa.gov to check whether a payday or consumer loan company is licensed to conduct business in the State of Washington.
Do not provide any personal information, such as social security number or bank account number or access if the company is not licensed or authorized to conduct business.
Important Information for All Consumers
If you received a loan from a lender and someone else is now attempting to collect the loan, collection activity may be subject to the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). If you are contacted by a third party claiming you owe a debt, you can request a “written validation notice,” which must provide 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 (FTC) at 1-877-382-4357 or online at www.ftc.gov.
If you feel you have been the victim of a financial scam you can contact the FTC at 1-877-382-4357 or online at www.ftc.gov; or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at 1-855-411-2372 or online at www.consumerfinance.gov.
If the scammers already have your bank account information, social security number, or other personal information, you may be a victim of identity theft. You can contact your bank and the three major credit bureaus to take appropriate precautions. The FTC has information for victims of identity theft online at www.ftc.gov.
If you feel you have been the victim of a scam involving the internet you can contact the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center online at www.ic3.gov.
If you live in another state, you can find the regulator for your home state.