Alert number: CA058124_12/20/24
Overview
The State of Washington Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) has received complaints from Washington consumers that Fort Belknap Indian Community may be operating as an online tribal lender, under the following business names:
- Aaniiih Nakoda Finance, LLC d/b/a Bright Lending
- GreatPlains Finance, LLC d/b/a Cash Advance Now
- Target Finance, LLC d/b/a Target Cash Now
These businesses claim to be entities formed under the laws of the Fort Belknap Indian Community Tribe. The Fort Belknap Indian Community Tribe claims to be a federally recognized sovereign American Indian Tribe located in Montana.
Not Licensed to Operate in Washington
The Fort Belknap Indian Community and their businesses 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.
Contact Information Associated with These Businesses
The Fort Belknap Indian Community and their businesses have been associated with the following contact information:
Aaniiih Nakoda Finance, LLC d/b/a Bright Lending
Phone: 866*441*7674
[customerservice@brightlending.com]
PO Box 578
Hays, MT 59527
https://brightlending.com/
GreatPlains Finance, LLC d/b/a Cash Advance Now
Phone: 888*906*6423
[support@cashadvancenow.com]
PO Box 569
Hays, MT 59527
https://cashadvancenow.com/
Target Finance, LLC d/b/a Target Cash Now
Phone: 800*346*9348
[CustomerService@TargetCashNow.com]
PO Box 581
Hays, MT 59527
https://targetcashnow.com/
If You Have A Complaint
If you have a complaint against any of these entities, you may contact:
Fort Belknap Indian Community
Phone: 406*353*2205
158 Tribal Way,
Harlem, Montana 59526
https://ftbelknap.org/
Not To Be Confused With
GreatPlains Finance, LLC should not be confused with the following:
- Great Plains Financial, LLC: https://www.greatplainsfa.com/
Bright Lending should not be confused with the following:
- Brighten Lending: https://business.industrybusinesscouncil.org/list/member/brighten-lending-2148
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 1-877-746-4334, 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 Washington State 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.
Do 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 1-877-382-4357 or online at www.ftc.gov.
If you feel you have been the victim of a financial scam you can contact the FTC at 1-877-382-4357 or online at www.ftc.gov; or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at 1-855-411-2372 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 to 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 FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center online at www.ic3.gov.
If you live in another state, you can find the regulator for your home state.