The Native Village of Minto - Not Licensed in Washington State

Alert number: CA[058542]_[12.2024]

The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) has received complaints from Washington consumers that the Native Village of Minto, doing business as Benhti Economic Development Corporation, may be operating as an online tribal lender, under the following business names:

• Minto Financial dba Minto Money
• Tolovana Financial dba Birch Lending

These businesses claim to be subsidiaries of the Native Village of Minto. The Native Village of Minto claims to be a federally recognized sovereign American Indian Tribe located in Alaska.

Native Village of Minto and their subsidiaries 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.

Native Village of Minto and their subsidiaries have been associated with the following contact information:

Tolovana Financial dba Birch Lending
Tel: 833*742*4724
PO Box 58020
[https://www.birchlending.com/]

Minto Financial dba Minto Money
Tel: 844*446*4686
PO Box 58112
Minto, AK 99758
[https://mintomoney.com/]

Native Village of Minto, also operates the following websites:
[https://www.bedco.us/]

If you have a complaint against any of these entities, you may contact:

Native Village of Minto
907*202*9095
100 Cushman St. Suite 306
Fairbanks, AK 99701

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-RING-DFI (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 state of Washington 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.

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, go to this webpage to find the regulator in your home state.

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