March 13, 2020
Salem — The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation is warning Umatilla
County residents to avoid a scam offering to help them rebuild their flood-damaged
homes.
In the scam, the International Finance Cooperation of Needy Families Supports
(IFCNFS) offers to provide cash to rebuild your home. The IFCNFS is a
phony organization and the fraudster is looking for victims to send them personal
information and cash. Avoid this scam.
It was reported to the division that a person operating by the name of
Patricia Barlow offered to help a Umatilla County flood victim rebuild
their home. The potential victim just needed to fill out an online application
and send $3,000. The person did not send any money to the fraudster and
reported it to the division.
The division encourages everyone to follow these tips to avoid financial scams:
- Do not give out personal information by phone, email, or text message.
- Be careful opening emails, clicking on links, or downloading, files regardless
of the sender.
- Be suspicious about claims that require personal information for free money.
- Report suspicious scams to local authorities.
For more information about protecting your finances, visit
dfr.oregon.gov/financial.
Consumers can also contact the division’s advocates at 888-877-4894 (toll-free)
to ask questions, file complaints, or check the license of a financial company
or advisor.
About DCBS: The Department of Consumer and Business Services
is Oregon's largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency. For
more information, visit www.dcbs.oregon.gov.
About Oregon DFR: The Division of Financial Regulation is
part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest business
regulatory and consumer protection agency. Visit www.dcbs.oregon.gov and http://dfr.oregon.gov/Pages/index.aspx.