OFIR shuts down bogus Mortgage Company

LANSING, MI--The Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation (OFIR) has issued an order for Finlock Financial Group, LLC to immediately cease and desist from conducting unlicensed activities as a mortgage broker and lender without first obtaining a license or registering under the Mortgage Brokers, Lenders, and Servicers Licensing Act (MBLSLA). OFIR investigated a complaint received from the Michigan Attorney General's Office, and confirmed that Finlock Financial Group, LLC is fraudulently claiming to be located in Lansing, MI using an address that houses several different businesses. No person at this location had heard of Finlock Financial Group, LLC, which claimed to be in business for 12 years. OFIR believes that the bogus company, through their website, www.finlockgroup.com was posing as a legitimate mortgage and lending company in an attempt to steal consumers' money and identities. The fraudulent company was encouraging customers to apply for loans by providing personal information including social security and financial account numbers. ''If consumers think they may have uncovered a fraudulent financial company, they should call us immediately,'' OFIR Commissioner Kevin Clinton said. "OFIR will remain vigilant in shutting down these fraudulent companies.'' If Michigan consumers think they may have uncovered or become a victim of a fraudulent financial institution, they should call OFIR's toll-free consumer hotline 877-999-6442. To find out if a mortgage company is licensed to do business in the state, consumers can call or visit the agency's website: www. michigan.gov/ofir. Published: Thu, Jan 31, 2013