Past consumer alerts and press releases

All releases:

Banks & trusts • Collection agencies • Consumer finance • Credit services organizations • Credit unions • General (not related to a specific program area) • Investor information program • Mortgage lending • Prearranged funeral plans (preneed certified providers), endowment care, & master trustees • Securities enforcement • Securities registration

---

Banks & Trusts

2010
	LibertyBank closed, acquired by Home Federal Bank Customers can expect business as usual
	Home Valley Bank closed, acquired by South Valley Bank & Trust Customers can expect business as usual
	Columbia River Bank closed, acquired by Columbia State Bank Customers can expect business as usual

2009
	Community First Bank closed, acquired by Home Federal Bank Customers can expect business as usual
	Silver Falls Bank closed, Citizens Bank to acquire deposits Customers can expect business as usual
	Pinnacle Bank closed, acquired by Washington Trust Bank Customers can expect business as usual

2008
	Community banks increase deposits, remain a safe place for your money
	State warns consumers about lending scam Applicants must pay up-front loan fee
	Oregon banks remain strong

2007
	Oregon financial regulator receives national reaccreditation

2005
	Consumer Alerts - Phishing Scam (FDIC consumer information)

2004
	FDIC Joins in Launch of Federal Financial Education Toolkit and Web Site
	Federal Bank, Thrift, and Credit Union Regulatory Agencies Provide Consumer Information on Avoiding Overdraft and Bounced-Check Fees

2003
	Electronic Check Conversion (a Federal Reserve Bank publication)

---

Collection Agencies

2008
	State orders Salem-area collection agency to cease and desist Action follows complaints filed against Hawkeye Financial Group, Inc.
	State revokes registration of Gresham collection agency Action follows complaints filed against All Debt Recovery, LLC

2005
	Oregonians warned not to deal with unlicensed entities: State Adjustment or Major Finance

2004
	Tem-Mar Enterprises, Inc., dba Acme Credit

---

Consumer Finance

2010
	State disciplines American General for dumping checks in trash Company paid $75,000, must heighten supervision of staff
	Tax refund loans can be high cost, unnecessary Oregonians can get fast refunds and save money by e-filing

2008
	State warns consumers about lending scam Applicants must pay up-front loan fee
	State issues order against consumer finance lender for exposing clients to identity theft. Noble Finance must cease and desist, reimburse investigative costs.

2006
	Oregon takes additional steps to protect consumers from high-cost loans

2005
	Authorities seek information about Talent woman's alleged illegal lending activities
	Short-term Loan Licensee 2005 Annual Report

2004
	Consumer finance annual report form revised
	State credits First Tech for offering new short-term lending program
	Refund anticipation loans

2002
	State of Oregon files stipulated judgment against A 1 Cash Advance and its owner Tim Stroud, also known as Tim Loren
	State of Oregon files stipulated judgment against A 1 Cash Advance and its owner Tim Stroud, also known as Tim Loren

---

Credit Service Organizations

2005
	FTC Settles with AmeriDebt: Company to Shut Down
	AmeriDebt Stipulated Final Order and Judgment

2004
	AG cautions Oregonians about doing business with PaulMichael Moore of Portland

2003
	Nationwide Credit Repair Operation to Pay More than $1.15 Million in Consumer Redress

---

Credit Unions

2005
	Phishing alert from NCUA

2004
	Bogus-credit-union scam derailed; consumers warned by Division of Finance & Corporate Securities
	Sunrise Family Credit Union - unauthorized use of legal entity's name
	State credits First Tech for offering new short-term lending program

2002
	State authorizes first new credit union in 20 years!

---

General alerts and releases not related to a specific program area

2010
	Tax refund loans can be high cost, unnecessary Oregonians can get fast refunds and save money by e-filing
	State agency to host seminars on preventing fraud Events throughout Oregon will help consumers avoid money-taking schemes

2009
	Thirteen Defendents Charged in $19 Million Bank Fraud
	Oregon issues order against insurance agent for dumping records Documents contained clients' personal information

2008
	State warns consumers about lending scam Applicants must pay up-front loan fee

2006
	State warns consumers about lottery scam
	New administrator to lead Oregon financial services regulator

2005
	IRS Warns Consumers of Possible Scams Relating to Hurricane Katrina Relief
	Business Alert - Possible Invoice Scam (Secretary of State)
	DCBS to join activities, expo for Oregon's seniors and their boomer children

2004
	State financial services regulator announces staff appointments
	State Division of Finance and Corporate Securities hires deputy administrator
	Refund anticipation loans

2003
	Fake ads target unwary loan seekers
	FDIC fraud alert on advance payments

2002
	Phone scammers step up efforts in Oregon with refinance deals

---

Investor information

2010
	Department launches public service announcements to help Oregonians avoid scams
	State agency to host seminars on preventing fraud Events throughout Oregon will help consumers avoid money-taking schemes

2008
	Portland Events to Provide Guidance in Retirement Investing and Recognizing Scams

2007
	State identifies most common investment scams

2006
	Teens win cash awards in state essay contest
	Essay Contest
	State warns seniors about "senior specialists"

2005
	Teens win cash prizes in financial-literacy essay contest sponsored by a state agency
	Investor Alert - SEC vs. Terry Neal fraud case (thegrassmueckgroup.com)
	High-school students to compete for cash with essays about investing
	DCBS to join activities, expo for Oregon's seniors and their boomer children

2004
	State program offers free financial-investment infomation
	Investor Alert - Mutual Fund Fees
	Investor Alert - Telemarketing Stock Scam
	State officials warn of oil-investment scam directed at seniors
	Students win cash prizes from state for essays about financial knowledge
	State offers teens prize money in essay contest

2003
	Mutual Fund Breakpoints: Are You Owed a Refund?

2002
	The Nigerian Nightmare: Who's sending you all those scam e-mails?
	Investor alert concerning Wedgewood Acquisitions and the U.S. Securities Registration Bureau
	Investor alert concerning Health Maintenance Centers, Inc., Znetix, Inc., and Kevin L. Lawrence

2000
	State warns consumers against co-called gifting clubs

---

Mortgage Lenders

2010
	Medford area developer and mortgage broker convicted of racketeering, securities fraud, and aggravated theft
	Consumers have new tool to check out mortgage lenders Higher standards will help protect borrowers
	State issues fines, enforcement orders in three mortgage cases
	Bend event to help homeowners prevent foreclosures
	State sanctions promoter of "foreclosure rescue" scheme Tony Schwartz promised to help distressed homeowners, then illegally sold interests in homes

2009
	Thirteen Defendents Charged in $19 Million Bank Fraud
	State revokes mortgage broker license Case involves mortgage fraud and unethical behavior
	Medford event to help homeowners prevent foreclosure Nonprofit counselors will be available for one-on-one meetings
	Oregon homeowners facing foreclosure have new rights Lenders required to meet with borrowers about loan modifications
	State Issues Orders against Mortgage Brokers, Loan Originators One broker is permanently barred from any financially related business in Oregon
	State Revokes Licenses of Two Mortgage Companies
	State bans Portland-area mortgage loan originator
	Homeowners Should Be Wary of Loan Modification Offers
	State issues fines, order in mortgage fraud case

2008
	State issues fines, enforcement orders in two mortgage lending cases Former managers ordered to pay fines and a mortgage company receives conditional license
	State denies license, orders mortgage broker to cease and desist Firm ordered to pay $70,000 in fines for violations of Oregon Mortgage Lender Law
	State warns consumers about lending scam Applicants must pay up-front loan fee
	State takes enforcement action against four mortgage brokers Cases involve unethical behavior, falsified loan documents, training requirements
	Oregon receives grant money for foreclosure counseling and assistance

2007
	State issues fines, enforcement orders in 4 mortgage lending cases
	Department offers advice to help consumer avoid foreclosure
	AG Myers and DCBS remind Oregonians of restitution eligibility in $325 million Ameriquest settlement
	State orders $46,000 in fines against promoters of illegal mortgage rescue scheme
	State issues fines, enforcement orders in 2 mortgage lending cases
	State orders two mortgage providers to stop illegal activity
	State to strengthen regulation of mortgage lenders
	Mortgage Lending Requirements Strengthened

2006
	Ameriquest Multistate Settlement
	Loan Originators - continuing education requirements
	FHA Program Update, Appraisal Report, and Home Equity Conversion Mortgage Training
	State to hold forum on mortgage lending
	Mortgage Lending Forum
	Oregonians to receive $1.5 million restitution under settlement with Ameriquest

2005
	Warning - Cambridge Financials, Financial Advisors, or Trafalger Group
	Mortgage lender application/renewal fee change

2004
	Redwood Trust and Bountiful LLC - mortgage lending alert
	Mortgage Lender Program Fee Structure Proposal
	One-time exemption advisory
	Cease and Desist order against Penalty against Citigroup Inc., New York, New York, a bank holding company, and CitiFinancial Credit Company, Baltimore, Maryland, a non-bank subsidiary of Citigroup (Federal Reserve Board)
	State revokes Bend-area mortgage broker's license
	Sytsma and All Seasons Mortgage - Order to Revoke Mortgage Banker/Broker License

2003
	Checks mailed today for Oregon consumers involved in Household settlement
	Fairbanks Capital Settles FTC and HUD Charges
	Sytsma and All Seasons Mortgage - Order to Cease and Desist
	Capitol Commerce Mortgage Corporation closes its doors
	Justice & DFCS/DCBS remind consumers of deadline for Household restitution

2002
	Landmark settlement with mortgage lender Household International, Inc.

---

Prearranged funeral plans (preneed certified providers), endowment care, & master trustees

2009
	Department completes Twin Oaks investigation Former owners must pay $540,000

2005
	State advises caution when changing funeral plan accounts

2004
	Eugene cemetery business loses certification; consents to state's stipulated order
	Sunset Hills LLC Stipulated Order of Revocation of Certificate
	Sunset Hills LLC Amended Order of Revocation of Certificate

2002
	Litty funeral directors news release (Affiliates: Brookings Chapel, Gold Beach, Chapel, and Sea Haven Cremation Services)

---

Securities enforcement

2010
	DCBS settles with brokerage firms over auction-rate securities Settlements net additional $1.4 million, bringing total to more than $3 million
	Medford area developer and mortgage broker convicted of racketeering, securities fraud, and aggravated theft
	State issues fines, enforcement orders in three mortgage cases
	State sanctions promoter of "foreclosure rescue" scheme Tony Schwartz promised to help distressed homeowners, then illegally sold interests in homes
	State agency to host seminars on preventing fraud Events throughout Oregon will help consumers avoid money-taking schemes
	State bars Sunwest Management owner from financial industry Jon Harder violated numerous securities laws in investment schemes

2009
	State proposes to revoke investment adviser license Order alleges breach of fiduciary duties
	Thirteen Defendents Charged in $19 Million Bank Fraud
	State sanctions promoters of fraudulent time-share investment program Oregonians lose more than $5 million in scheme
	Beaverton Woman Sentenced to 57 months Prison for Ponzi Scheme
	Oregon settles with national brokers over auction-rate securities More than $1.4 million in fines will go to the General Fund
	State finalizes Agreement with Prosper Marketplace Over Sales of Unregistered Securities
	State stops 'boiler room' operation Sales staff pushed high-risk investments
	State issues cease-and-desist orders for unregistered securities

2008
	State orders unlicensed California broker-dealer to cease and desist
	State securities regulators settle with Prosper Marketplace over unregistered securities
	Two Former Business Partners Convicted on Fraud Charges Convictions based on long-running Ponzi scheme
	State investigating sales of auction-rate securities
	Michael K. Frazier of Frazier Financial Services arrested for theft, fraud, and sale of unregistered securities
	Sandy man gets jail sentence for multiple theft, fraud charges
	State orders Springfield company to cease and desist

2007
	State orders $46,000 in fines against promoters of illegal mortgage rescue scheme
	SEC, State of Oregon permanently put investment adviser out of business
	State identifies most common investment scams
	State warns consumers about sweepstakes scam
	State revokes La Grande stockbroker's license - Stockbroker invested senior citizens' money in risky, unsuitable oil and gas partnerships
	State orders company to stop selling securities in Oregon
	State orders former Portland-area stockbroker to pay restitution to investors

2006
	CONSUMER ALERT: Don't be Fooled - this Jewell's a Fake Michigan Dept of Labor and Economic Growth press release
	Ameriquest Multistate Settlement
	Oregon to receive $259,932 in Wachovia settlement
	Authorities seek information about woman who stole $500,000
	Warning concerning Instant Funding Systems

2005
	State financial regulator warns Oregonians about People in Profit System (PIPS)
	DCBS/DFCS and Oregon DOJ jointly announce indictment of Ricky Lynn Johnson and his company NuStart Concepts, Inc.
	Two Men Indicted in $13 Million Dollar Internet Investment Scheme
	DCBS announces settlement with former Living Enrichment Center leader Mary Manin Morrissey and Edward Morrissey in securities case
	Morrissey Covenant
	Morrissey Consent Judgment
	Morrissey Complaint

2004
	Oil-investment con man sentenced in Denver
	New chief of enforcement hired at Finance and Corporate Securities
	Metropolitan Investment Securities, Summit Investments, and Metropolitan Mortgage & Securities Co.

2003
	NASD Sanctions Metropolitan Investment Securities for Abusive Sales Practices and Supervisory Violations
	State shuts down Portland-area investment scam
	Rencher Judgment - Final
	Rencher Opinion and Order
	Oregon to share in settlement of Wall Street brokerage case

2002
	Other activities involving Enron
	State announces Enron investigation
	Oregon racketeering law (Enron)

---

Securities registration

2008
	Securities Fee Change

2004
	State streamlines mutual fund filings with new Internet-based process