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DEBT RELIEF CENTER PO BOX 660675 #31711 DALLAS, TX 75266-0675
August 21, 2018
WHEREAS Debt Relief Center, a debt management services company located in Dallas, Texas, was notified by the Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection (“the Bureau”) by letter dated July 26, 2018 (copy attached) that the company is engaging in activities requiring registration as a debt management service provider pursuant to 32 Maine Revised Statutes Annotated (M.R.S.A.), Chapter 80-A, §6171 et seq.; and
WHEREAS the letter notified the Debt Relief Center that it must be registered with the Bureau before providing debt management services to Maine consumers; and
WHEREAS the Debt Relief Center is not now nor have has it ever been registered to provide debt management services in Maine; and.
WHEREAS the Debt Relief Center has contacted at least one Maine consumer (B.R.) and solicited the payment of $7,500 in violation of 32 MRSA §6171 et seq.; and
WHEREAS the Debt Relief Center has failed to respond to the Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection’s registered and accepted letter of July 26, 2018, or register as debt management services companies; and
WHEREAS the Debt Relief Center violated 32 MRSA Chapter 80-A, §6171 et seq. by representing to consumers that it could lawfully offer, sell or perform debt management services in Maine when it in fact it could not lawfully do so; and
WHEREAS unregistered activity is subject to administrative and civil penalties pursuant to 32 M.R.S.A. §6181;
NOW THEREFORE, the Debt Relief Center is hereby notified and ORDERED to cease and desist all debt management service activity subject to registration in the State of Maine, unless and until such time as registration is granted by the Administrator;
The Debt Relief Center is further ORDERED, within 45 days of the date of this Order, to provide the Bureau with a list of all Maine consumers from whom monies were collected in connection with the offer and sale of debt management services. The list shall include the full name and address of each consumer, the total amount of all payments made by the consumer to the Debt Relief Center, and the amount of any refund paid by the Debt Relief Center to the consumer; and
The Debt Relief Center is further ORDERED to pay $500 to the Bureau within 30 days of the date of this Order as reimbursement for reasonable costs of investigation pursuant to 32 MRSA §6178(3).
The Debt Relief Center may request the scheduling of an administrative hearing on this order within 30 days of the date of this order by making that request in writing to the undersigned Superintendent, or may seek review of this order pursuant to Maine’s Administrative Procedures Act, 5 M.R.S.A. §11001 et seq.
| Date: August 21, 2018/td> | /s/William N. Lund |
| William N. Lund |