Virtual Investment Properties a/k/a VIP, LLC and Gabrielle Nguyen - Not Licensed in Washington State

Alert number: CA_C-23-3640_11.25

The State of Washington Department of Financial Institutions (“DFI”) has received information that the parties below are offering to broker mortgage loans in violation of Washington law:

• Virtual Investment Properties a/k/a VIP, LLC
• Gabrielle Nguyen a/k/a Elle Nguyen a/k/a Gabrielle Ng

These persons appear to have operated on the east side of Lake Washington and offered to broker residential mortgage loans for large fees. They are not licensed to do so by DFI as required. Unlicensed mortgage broker activity poses a substantial risk to consumers, who are warned against doing business with such persons.

Important Information for Washington Consumers About Unlicensed Lenders and Brokers

• Washington residents only: If you suspect unlicensed lending or brokering activity, please contact the Department at 1-877-RING-DFI (746-4334), or online at www.dfi.wa.gov.
• 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 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-FTC-HELP or online at www.ftc.gov.
• If you feel you have been the victim of a scam you can contact the FTC at 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357) or online at www.ftc.gov; or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at 1-855-411-CFPB (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 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 Internet Crime Complaint Center online at www.ic3.gov.
• If you feel you have been the victim of a financial scam, and are concerned about your personal financial information, you can contact your banking institution and the three major credit bureaus. Procedures for contacting the credit bureaus are available on the FTC’s website at www.ftc.gov.
• If you live in another state, find the regulator in your home state at http://mortgage.nationwidelicensingsystem.org/consumer/Pages/AgencyContacts.aspx.