GARDINER — Maine officials are warning consumers to be wary of an advance-fee loan scam operated by two Florida companies.

The Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection says the two companies — Fairfield Brokerage and Oracle Lending Group — claim to be located in downtown Portland’s Time and Temperature Building. Neither company is housed there.

Several out-of-state consumers have asked Maine officials about web sites posted by the two companies that purport to offer short-term consumer loans. In each instance the consumers were asked to transfer advance fees to a Florida location in order to secure the promised loans.

Neither company is a licensed lender, and advance-fee consumer loans are illegal under federal law.

Maine officials say advance fee loan scams are a growing financial menace that can be costly to consumers.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.