The Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division has received complaints from as far away as California, claiming that a North Dakota company is involved in a scam.
The phony company, currently using the business name "Premier Financial Lenders," claims to offer guaranteed advance fee loans. The individual is told that as soon as the loan fees are paid, the money will be released to them. The individual is directed to wire money to Canada, and given a customer service number with a North Dakota (701) area code to call once the money is wired.
"Advance fee loans are illegal in North Dakota. The phone number is a fake, as is the supposed guaranteed loan, and the victim loses the money they have wired to the scam artist," said Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem.
Parrell Grossman, director of the Consumer Protection division said a legitimate lender will not require a consumer to wire money in payment of fees in order to receive a loan. Grossman encourages individuals to call the Consumer Protection division, toll-free at 1-800-472-2600, before agreeing to wire money to an unknown party.
