Consumer advocacy, market regulation, and enforcement
One of the ways the Division of Financial Regulation protects consumers is through the Consumer Advocacy, Market Regulation, and Enforcement teams. These teams work together to ensure a safe, fair, well-regulated insurance market.
Consumer Advocacy focuses on getting results for individual consumers and also serves as the front line for observing and documenting industry behavior.
Market Regulation and Investigations review insurance issues referred from Consumer Advocacy and other sources to ensure compliance with Oregon Insurance law and policies held by consumers.
Enforcement pursues administrative action against individuals and companies that have violated the Oregon Insurance Code, as well as the other industries regulated by DFR. Enforcement has a variety of tools to address misconduct, including fines, licensing action, and in some cases referrals to prosecutors for criminal action.
Recoveries and Penalties - 2023
| Complaint Recoveries | $8,753,919 |
| Market Analysis and Investigation Recoveries | $3,696,952 |
| Enforcement Civil Penalties and Restitution | $3,223,325
|
*Financial benefit, reported as a monetary amount, DFR is able to achieve for consumers and businesses through a process other than an administrative action that results in an enforcement order.
Consumer complaints received by the program area for 2023
Total recoveries in 2023: $12,322,700
2023 Complaint data
Program Area
| Cases Opened |
|---|
| Insurance | 3,140 |
| Unregulated - Insurance | 804 |
| Mortgage Servicers | 236 |
| Credit Unions | 131 |
Unregulated - All Other
| 129 |
| Money Transmitters | 83 |
| Unregulated Credit Union | 80 |
| Securities | 60 |
| Unregulated - Banks | 55 |
| Mortgage Banker/Broker | 52 |
| Consumer Finance | 50 |
| Banking | 34 |
| Student Loan | 27 |
| Collection Agencies | 20 |
| Debt Mgmt Service Providers | 17 |
| Pawn Broker | 8 |
| Manufactured Structure Dealer | 7 |
| Payday Loans | 7 |
| Other | 5 |
| licensing | 2 |
| Unregulated Securities | 2 |
| Debt Buyer | 1 |
| Credit Services | 1 |
| Elder Financial Abuse | 1 |
| Pre Need | 1 |
| Unregulated Student Loan | 1 |