Alert number: CA058625_04/25
Also Doing Business As:
- Windermere Firm
Note: "Windermere Lending Firm" Should Not Be Confused with Windermere Real Estate, Which Is a Real Estate Company in Washington
The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) warns consumers to never give any nonpublic person 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. Consumers can determine whether 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 https://dfi.wa.gov/consumers/verify-license. Consumers can also check license status with the Department of Licensing at https://dol.wa.gov/, Department of Revenue at https://secure.dor.wa.gov/gteunauth/_/, and for corporations, at the Secretary of State at https://www.sos.wa.gov/.
DFI has received reports of apparent scams conducted by individuals claiming to represent Windermere Lending Firm.
At least one consumer received phone calls, text messages, faxes, and/or email messages from people claiming to represent Windermere Lending Firm where the representative offered a loan in exchange for upfront fees.
“WINDERMERE LENDING FIRM” SHOULD NOT BE CONFUSED WITH THE FOLLOWING SIMILARLY NAMED BUSINESS
- Windermere Real Estate
These apparent scams are associated with the following contact information:
844*811*4611
206*388*4342
[windermeredfirm.com]
P.O. Box 1474
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
448 Alaskan Way S $515
Seattle, WA 98104
DFI cautions that unlicensed entities often engage in certain practices that indicate they are committing fraud or otherwise violating Washington State law. For instance, such entities often use non-business email addresses (such as @gmail.com, @yahoo.com, or other similar easily obtained email addresses) to send correspondence, threaten legal or criminal action if consumers do not reply immediately, or contain a variety of typographical and spelling errors in their correspondence to consumers.
However, at times, e-mails or letters from unlicensed entities engaging in fraudulent activity will contain accurate personal information, such as current or past addresses, active phone numbers, or social security numbers. The Department encourages consumers who receive communications containing personal information to contact their banks, credit-reporting agencies, and the Social Security Administration to ensure there is no unauthorized activity on their accounts.
Debt Collection Laws
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 (FDCPA). If you receive a communication from a party claiming that a debt is owed, you should 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 debt collection laws, contact the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-382-4357, or online at https://www.ftc.gov/.
If someone threatens to garnish your wages, contacts your employer, or uses threatening, intimidating, or offensive language, report such actions to state and federal regulators. See below for how to contact the appropriate state and federal regulator.
Prevent and Report Identity Theft
Consumers should never make payments over the phone or via email to a third part 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 and you should take appropriate precautions. The Federal Trade Commission has information for victims of identity theft available online at https://www.identitytheft.gov/.
Report Suspicious Activity, Scams or Fraud
Washington State residents only: If you suspect illegal or fraudulent activity involving a financial product or service, please contact the Department at 1-877-746-4334, or online at https://dfi.wa.gov/.
If you feel you have been the victim of a scam, please contact the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-382-4357 or online at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/; or contact the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at 1-855-411-2372 or online at https://www.consumerfinance.gov/. You may also wish to contact the Office of the Attorney general at 1-800-551-4636 or online at https://www.atg.wa.gov/.
If you feel you have been the victim of a scam involving the internet please contact the Internet Crime Complaint Center online at https://www.ic3.gov/.
If you live in another state, go to this webpage to find the regulator in your home state.