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| Oregon - Division of Finance & Corporate Securities (DFCS) |
The Division of Finance & Corporate Securities (DFCS) charters, examines, and regulates state chartered banks and trust companies doing business in Oregon.
As of Dec. 31, 2003, there were 31 state-chartered banks with 305 offices. Of that total, 3 were branches of extranational institutions. There were 6 trust companies and/or bank trust departments providing trust services in Oregon.
The Division of Finance and Corporate Securities (DFCS) is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS), Oregon's largest regulatory and consumer protection agency. The division's mission is to encourage the widest possible range of financial services, products and information for Oregonians, delivered in a safe, sound and fraud-free manner. The division administers and enforces state laws and rules covering fifteen programs as outlined on this page.
Use the following link to access current information on the Division of Finance & Corporate Securities.
http://www.cbs.state.or.us/external/dfcs/
Contact and Location Information
Department of Consumer & Business Services
Division of Finance and Corporate Securities
350 Winter St. NE, Rm. 410
Salem, OR 97301-3881
Phone: (503) 378-4140 or (503) 378-4387
Fraud & complaint investigation: (866) 814-9710 (Toll-free)
FAX: (503) 947-7862
TTY - Hearing impaired assistance: (503) 378-4100
E-mail: dcbs.dfcsmail@state.or.us
Mailing addresses:
Forms only:
Department of Consumer & Business Services
Division of Finance and Corporate Securities
PO Box 14480
Salem, OR 97309-0405
Forms with fees:
Fiscal Services Section
Department of Consumer & Business Services
PO Box 14610
Salem, OR 97309-0445
Label fee submitted to DFCS as follows:
Payable to: Director, Department of Consumer & Business Services
DFCS - list applicable program and fee
Complaint Information
The Division of Finance and Corporate Securities cannot act as your attorney or give legal advice. They cannot resolve factual or contractual disputes and will not get involved if you have hired an attorney or your complaint is in litigation. They will be able to help if the bank has violated a bank law or regulation.
Some complaints are simple enough that a written complaint is not necessary. You are encouraged to call us at (503) 378-4140. In some cases, the action may be perfectly legal and you will be so advised. In other cases, we will be able to provide a contact person who can assist you.
Entities Regulated
The Division of Finance and Corporate Securities is responsible for regulating the following entities.
- Banks and trusts
- Collection agencies
- Consumer finance
- Credit services organizations
- Credit unions
- Debt consolidating agencies
- Digital signature
- Franchises
- International trade consultants
- Money transmitters
- Mortgage lending
- Pawnbrokers
- Prearranged funeral plans (preneed certified providers), endowment care cemeteries, and master trustees
- Savings and loans
- Securities section
- Sellers of travel
Statutes and Rules
A sample list of the statutes and rules the Division of Finance & Corporate Securities is responsible for enforcing follows.
- Administration/enforcement
- Bank organization
- Fees, names, and enforcement authority
- Regulations of institutions
- Merger, conversion, etc.
- Out-of-state; extranational
- Branches, ATMS
- Holding companies
- Savings banks
Use the following link to access current information on the statutes and rules the Division of Finance and Corporate securities is responsible for enforcing.
http://www.cbs.state.or.us/external/dfcs/rulestat.htm
Identity Theft
When it comes to identity theft, the old adage applies, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The following are useful tips and information for consumers to avoid identity theft:
- Be careful about giving out your personal information. Don’t give out any personal information over the phone unless you initiate the call;
- Pay attention to your billing cycles. If you don’t get your bills in the mail, be suspicious;
- Be cautious about where you leave your information. Think of your bills as cash, don’t leave them lying around;
- Guard your mail from theft. Be vigilant about checking your mail promptly after it has been delivered. Don’t let it pile up while you are away;
- Watch what you throw away. What may be garbage to you can be stolen treasure to an identity thief;
- Travel light. Don’t carry more checks or credit cards than you need. That will minimize the damage if your wallet is lost or stolen; and
- Check your credit report on a regular basis. Order a copy of your credit report from the three major credit reporting agencies at least once a year and make sure that the information they have is correct.
- The agencies are:
- Experian 1-800-397-3742
- Equifax 1-800-525-6285
- Trans Union 1-800-680-7289
If a consumer is a victim of Identity theft, he/she should:
- Contact creditors by phone and by certified mail;
- Stop payment on checks and close bank accounts;
- Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles and your local postal inspector;
- File a report with your local police department; and
- Call the FTC’s fraud hotline at 1-877-IDTHEFT.
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