Deadline Approaching for Western Sky Predatory Lending Claims

If you are one of the 17,500 Michigan consumers paying too much for their Western Sky and CashCall loans time is running out to file your claim and get your money back. Claims have to be filed by September 18, 2015. Find out if you qualify today.

On May 14, 2015, Michigan’s Attorney General’s office announced a $2.2 million settlement with South Dakota-based Western Sky Financial and California company CashCall Inc. The claim: that the companies charged illegally high interest and fees for their quick-fix loans.

Internet-based Western Sky charged between 89 and 169 percent interest – well above Michigan’s legal limits. The interest and fees on a $1,000 loan could leave borrowers paying more than $4,000 within two years. Other short-term, 6-month loans had an APR of 350%.

Attorney General Bill Schuette and his Corporate Oversight Division weren’t going to let the Internet lenders take advantage of Michigan residents.

“We will not tolerate any businesses attempting to skirt the rules at the expense of Michigan consumers trying to make ends meet,” said Schuette. “This settlement is a victory for the thousands of Michigan consumers who took out Western Sky loans and serves as a warning to only do business with licensed entities. I am grateful for the joint efforts and hard work by the Department of Insurance and Financial Services and my staff that secured this settlement providing significant relief for Michigan consumers.”

After the Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) issued a cease and desist regulatory action against Western Sky and CashCall – demanding they stop selling unlicensed, high-interest loans in Michigan – the two companies agreed to negotiate. All Western Sky loans were capped at 7% annual interest, even if they had originally been set higher. This happens automatically without the borrower needing to do anything.

But Michigan residents with active Western Sky accounts who overpaid on high-interest loans in the past still need to act. To get a “pro-rata refund” – your share of the excessive fees charged by Western Sky and CashCall – you have to make a claim with the Claim Fund Administrator, Dahl Administration, LLC.
Eligible Western Sky borrowers should have received a notice explaining the claims process by July 20, 2015. All claims must be filed by September 18, 2015. That means there’s only about a month left to get your part of the $2.2 million settlement fund.

The consumer protection team at The Liblang Law Firm, P.C. can help you prepare and file your claim with the Dahl Administration, LLC and make sure you are compensated for the predatory lending practices of Western Sky and CashCall. Don’t wait. If you have received a notice or believe you are entitled to compensation, contact The Liblang Law Firm, P.C. today to get the process started with a free consultation.