The Lending Associates Has anyone heard of them...They want $820 for insurance to give me a loan. Novi Michigan

Lending Associates has never been part of the Identity Theft Resource Center.

Lending Associates in Novi, MI was a victim of identity theft in January 2009. A fradulent service created a phony 800 number, and website named www.thelendingassociates.net and operated under our name. At that time, our website, www.thelendingassociates.com was under construction. They used our company name, address, Michgian mortgage broker's license, and ownership contact info. They used a fake fax number that rang to a homeowner's address in Southfield, MI.

These fradulent individuals primarily had an office in Canada, as well as local setups in various cities throughout Michigan, California, and Arizona. They set up a phone number and website in which they requested money from people UP FRONT, which they said was to be used for some type of government insurance BEFORE they could get approved for a loan.

These identity thieves targeted homeowners and non-homeowners - basically, anyone who was in the need of financial help with a promise that all their financial hardship would go away once they sent payment by Western Union. (Our company, Lending Associates, requires clients to hold an appraisal deposit on a credit card before we lock in an interest rate.) We would never ask a client to send us cash by Western Union.

Over the past 30 days, our company's legal team has been in contact numerous times with the FBI, as well as the local authorities in various cities across the country and abroad. We have recently been assigned the phony website, www.thelendingassociates.net (which we have shut down), and the 800 number (which has been shut down as well.) We have notified Go Daddy of the fradulent domain, and it was released to us after authorities determined that this was indeed a scam. We are planning on prosecuting these identity thieves to the full extent of the law for taking advantage of people, as well as stealing our identity and ruining our good name on the Rip Off Report.

These people, Carla Morgan and Nancy Summers, do not, and never have been, employed by Lending Associates in Novi, MI.

This entire ordeal has been extremely disheartening to us - to learn that innocent people were taking advantage of and scammed out of their money. We feel USED and we are victim in this entire episode as well. We have reached out to clients that have called our office and explained to them what has happened. WE DO NOT SCAM PEOPLE AND STEAL THEIR MONEY UP FRONT. Lending Associates is a reputable, hardworking, MICHIGAN-BASED company with good people, excellent leadership, and hundreds of satisfied clients over the past 12 months.

The President of Lending Associates is Kenny Bell, a Michigan resident for his entire life. Kenny Bell has over 15 years of mortgage lending experience, and has worked with THOUSANDS of satisfied clients for new home purchases, and refinance transactions. Feel free to check out the blog site at www.kennybell.com., as well as the REAL company website at www.lendingassociates.com for accurate and up to date customer feedback and references.

OUR CUSTOMERS ARE 100% SATISFIED WITH WHAT WE DO. WE have provided dozens of client referrals that can stand by what we do, and are satisifed with the level of service they have received from us as a Lending Associates client.

Thank you.

I filled out online application and was contacted by Carla Morgan. She said I was approved for a loan ($22000.00) but would need to buy an insurance policy for the loan. $900.00 was to be wired to Kenneth Dunn in Kenora, Ontario. Carla is very friendly, polite and well spoken. She makes you want to like her. Said that they are backed by the BBB and that I could go to the BBB website and see for myself. Well, Lending Associates is on the BBB website, but not that 'The Lending Associates'. I did not send the money, instead I called the Owner of the building at the address that they have listed, spoke with a very nice girl, and low and behold found out that they are the true Lending Associates. The State of Michigan has been contacted as has the police department (since they have some of my personal information). I have no idea where the phone number rings to but the fax number is located at a residence (David Moskowitz (248) 557-0775 27450 Pierce St, Southfield, MI 48076). Hope this information helps. It is sad that these places have no care for people or the true businesses that they are misusing the names of. It really hurts.

The Lending Associates is in fact a scam and the Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation for the State of MI has been contacted as well as domains by proxy abuse dept. I have instructed them to disable the site as we are in fact the real licensee for Lending Associates. I am very thankful this has been caught my hope is that it is early enough not to damage the real, professional and legitimate Lending Associates. Thank you.

The Federal Trade Commission has INFORMATION to help you avoid these things.
Requiring PREPAYMENT of any kind is ILLEGAL.

But since you applied without knowing the LEGAL process for loans - these scammers are looking to steal your money

YOU DID NOT BOTHER TO LOOK - at other reports about Advanced Fee Loan Scams either here on ROR or the internet.

Advance-Fee Loan Scams: Easy' Cash Offers Teach Hard Lessons
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/telemarketing/tel16.shtm


Just When You Thought It Was Safe...Advance-Fee Loan "Sharks"
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt028.shtm

I have been following these companies for over one year now as I was scammed back in January of 2008. This is a scam. ANYONE who ask for money up front is a scam. They are NOT IN NOVI MICHIGAN!!! They will ask you to wire money to an individual Out of the US and you will never see your money again. Please contact me as I need more information from you regarding this!!! We want justice and we will get them!!!

Please ALSO report your story IMMEDIATELY to Canadian Phone Busters, badcreditloanwarning, and Canadian Money Advisor.

This report has been generated as the result of a financial fraud that was committed against me by Avenue Financial Group (AFG) which actually does not exist but the address they provide on their letterhead is 595 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530. The telephone number that was used during all communications is 866.403.6662 and the fax number that was used is 516.977.1030. Their website is www.avenuefinancial.net. The names of the two people that I spoke with are Brenda Olsen (x384) and Dennis Crown (x0).

On December 5, 2008 I conducted an online search for a long term personal loan. Mind you, I had never applied for a loan in my life with the exception of my two college degrees and my automobile. I immediately recognized that name Lending Tree, LLC at www.lendingtree.com and decided to check further into the process required to obtain a loan. All that was required was that I fill out an application consisting of personal information such as my social security number and address. On December 9, 2008 I was contacted by Brenda Olsen who left a voicemail message stating that I had been approved for a $5,000 loan through Avenue Financial Group based out of New York. After searching for the company name online, I found multiple companies throughout the United States and Canada with the same name, checked the BBB which didn't have any positive or negative information, and researched their website @ www.avenuefinancial.net.

I returned Brenda's phone call on December 9, 2008. Brenda congratulated me on being approved for the $5,000 loan. She explained that because this was a secured loan that I would need to provide collateral for insurance purposes as stated in the faxed agreement. The collateral required consisted of and was equal to 5 monthly payments totaling $1,107.20 and since I was making such a large payment upfront that I would not need to begin repaying the loan until June of 2009 for two years at $221.00 per month. I reviewed the documents numerous times. Everything appeared to be completely legitimate. I borrowed money against my 401K account in order to pay for the collateral. On December 15, 2008 I contacted Brenda Olsen to inform her that I had the collateral payment required to secure the loan. Brenda explained that the lender was located in Canada and that I needed to wire the funds directly to them. I asked Brenda how to wire the money since I had zero knowledge or experience wiring money. She told me to go to Walmart and ask for a red and white form called a Money Gram. I was to send the collateral payment to the Canadian lender, Christine Osborne in Thompson, MB, Canada. Since the fee was going to be $22.00 Brenda told me to simply send $1,100 and the remaining monies would be credited to my loan. I followed all of these instructions and contacted Brenda to provide her with the reference number as requested. Brenda stated that the $5,000 loan would be directly deposited into my account on December 16, 2008.

On the morning of December 16, 2009 I received a voicemail message from Dennis Crown who identified himself as the customer service manager of AFG. Dennis stated in this message that there had been a slight problem with my loan and needed to contact him immediately. Upon contacting Dennis, I learned that the lender after reassessing my loan needed to purchase an additional $1,100 in insurance to secure the loan. My other option was to receive a full refund but that I would not be able to receive this refund until January 5, 2009. I contacted Brenda Olsen who appeared to be completely unaware of the situation and stated that Dennis was a good man and would take good care of me. Brenda also stated that Dennis needed to speak with me again. I contacted Dennis once again who stated that he had spoken with the lender and that they would work something out with me for an additional $800 instead of the original $1,100 to secure the loan. I wired an additional $800 to Christine Osborne in Thompson, MB, Canada through a Money Gram at Walmart. Because the amount wired was less than $800, I was only required to pay $14.16 for the Money Gram fee.

I shared this information with a friend who began to research the company online. She found reports posted by others on www.ripoffreport.com that were identical to my experience with the same exact company as well as similar stories with different companies. These individuals stated that their loans were never deposited into their checking accounts after making two collateral payments. I knew at that point that I had been deceived. I contacted my local police department who filed a report with Financial Crimes. The following day I closed my checking account because they had my checking account number in order to transfer the loan. I also contacted all three credit bureaus to prevent identity theft since these criminals had all of my personal information including my social security number. They also had a faxed copy of my passport that I provided for their requirement to provide a type of government ID. The reason I provided this document as opposed to my driver's license is because I was in my office and it was quicker than getting my wallet out of my purse.

Dennis Crown had the nerve to contact me a third time. This time he stated that they would provide me with a $10,000 loan but that I needed to pay an additional 10 monthly payments. I told him no and demanded a refund in the amount of $1,900. I pretended that I wasn't aware that they had deceived me. Dennis informed me that a refund would be made on January 5, 2009 but since the company doesn't exist I know that I will never see this money again unless someone finds these criminals and prosecutes them to the fullest extent possible. This experience has been completely and utterly devastating. I have been severely violated and am in complete distress.

The website of Avenue Financial was created on 11.05.08 through SiteTiki.com which is a company based out of Singapore. This information can be obtained through the WHOIS database which I discovered on the BBB website. According to http://www.ripoffreport.com/default.asp, there are a series of companies that are potentially being operated by the same people. This inference was derived as a result of the reports filed by other individuals indicating the exact same scam and strategies utilized. I have documented these and am happy to share them with anyone who can help.

I pray that there is someone out there that can and is willing to assist me and other victims in finding these individuals who are hacking into Lending Tree's website before they violate and take advantage of other innocent people. I have obviously never applied for a loan other than for my education and automobile. I didn't realize that advanced fees were illegal in our country as well as Canada.

Please contact me if you have any information as to what I can do to seek justice and to put an end to their criminal practices.


Other Fraudulent Advance Fee Companies

1st International Financial Group
Affiliated Funding Online @ http://www.affiliatedfundingonline.com/index.php
Allied Capital Finance Corp @ www.allicapfi.com
Alpha Star Loans @ http://www.alphastarloans.com/
Alternative Investment Corporation
Altimax Financial
Amcorp Finance Incorporated
America Corporate Financial Group
American Community Lending
American Liberty Financial
Atlantic Capital Resource Center
Avalon Lending Services
Bayfield Lending Group @ www.bayfieldlending.com
Bayview Trust Financial @ www.bayviewtrustfinancial.com
Beacon Financial Group
Bellwood Financial Group
Best West Financial
Birchcliff Lending
Brennans Group
Briarcliff Financial Group
Bridgeport Financial
Brockville Financial
Cadex National
Capital Lending
Capital Trust Alternative
Capital Trust Financial Group
Capital Venture Investments
Cash Plus Lending @ http://www.cashpluslending.com/
Caswell Financial Group @ http://www.caswellfinancialgroup.com
CedarBrook Lending Group
Century Capital Funding
Charles D. Financial
Charter Lending Group
Charter Stone Financial
CityCom Financial Group
Clearview Lending
Clearview Lending Group

Commercial Capital Group
Credit Direct Financial Group
Creditview Financial Group
Crenton Financial Group
DCM Financial Services
Elite Consolidation Group
Equistar Financial Group
Fairway Financial Group
Fidelity Trust Financial
Fidelity Trust Financial Services
First Business Financial Solutions
First Canadian Finance
First Delta Financial Group
First International Finance
First International Lending Group
First Universal Lending
Flemington Trust @ http://www.flemingtontrust.com/
Glendor Financial Group
Greenbridge Lending Group @ http://www.greenbridgelending.com/
Greenbridge Lending Services @ http://www.greenbridgelending.com/
Gretchen Fox and Associates
Hillsdale Financial Group @ http://www.hillsdalefinancial.net/
Hudson Lending Group
Incline Financial Group
Jamcorp Finance Company @ http://www.jamcorpfinanceco.com/
IMC Financial Services
Invesco Lending Group
MTS Capital Services @ www.mtscservices.com
McLean and Forrester
Marrow and Parke Financial
Mason Capital Group
Metro Lending Group
Millwood Financial Group @ http://www.millwoodfinancial.com/
Moneta Lending Group
NFG Financial
National Trust Financial Group
Nationwide Prudential Incorporated
New General Financial
North American Loans
Lenders Recovery
The Lending Associates
Oakdale Lending Group
Omega One Loans @ http://www.omegaoneloans.com/
Patriot Loans Financial
Parkway Lending
Peoples First Financial
Pioneer Lending
Pioneer Lending Resources
Prevathon Lending Group
PrimeMax Financing
Priority One Financial Group @ http://www.priorityonefinancialgrp.com
Providence Financial
Prudential Lending Group
Remax Financial
Richfield Lending Group
Ridgefield Financial @ http://ridgefieldfinancial.org/
Rivercrest Financial Group
Sinclair Lending Solutions
Sinclair Loan Center
Standard Lenders
Stanford Financial Group
Sterling National Lenders
Superior Lending
Sutherland Lending
Trenton Financial Group
Trident Solutions Group
Unionbay Financial Group @ http://www.unionbayfinancialgroup.com/
United Loan Funding
United SBS Financial
Universal Financial
Ventana Consolidation Group
Vision Lending Corporation
Watson Financial Group
Westbrook Lending @ http://www.westbrooklending.com/
Westdale Finance Group
Winchester Lending Group
Winfield Lending Group
Winslow Hill Financial Services
Wittman Capital Services
World Financial Solutions
World Wide Consulting
York Land Lending

If you have been a victim please contact your local authorities immediately. In addition, contact all three credit bureaus to protect your identity. You may also need to close your checking account immediately to protect yourself from further damage.

Moreover, make sure to file reports with http://www.ftc.gov/index.shtml, http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx, and all other government agencies such as the BBB, attorney general, and FBI as well as any media groups. Please share your story with Scam Warners as well. I'm Jen37 on this site. Please send me a PM. We need all of the support that we can get.