22-10 Resolving consumer disputes

  • General principles. The Tribe values its customers and intends, at all times, to see that questions, concerns, issues, and/or disputes raised by consumers are addressed in a fair and orderly manner. However, nothing in this section shall be construed as a waiver of the Tribe’s or the financial services licensee’s or tribal debt collection licensee’s sovereign immunity or any of the rights and privileges attendant thereto.
  • Initial dispute resolution procedure.
    • Consumers who, in the course of their otherwise lawful and proper use of a licensee’s business, have concerns about the operation of any part of the licensee’s operation that pertain to the consumer or who otherwise believe themselves to be aggrieved by some aspect of the operation of any part of the licensee’s business, shall direct their concerns or dispute in the first instance to the management of the licensee, either orally or in writing.
    • The licensee shall also expediently gather sufficient facts to make a determination about the dispute. The licensee shall inform the complainant, either orally or in writing, about its initial determination as soon as is reasonably practicable. If the consumer concern or dispute is unresolved through the initial dispute resolution procedure, then a licensee shall notify the consumer in writing of his or her right to contact the Authority about the dispute and his or her rights to pursue formal dispute resolution under Subsection C of this section.  Complaints can be submitted to the complaint email hotline at: support@westside.com or by calling the complaint hotline at (888)-217-7531.
  • Formal dispute resolution procedure.
    • In the event of a consumer dispute, complainants who have followed the initial dispute resolution procedure described in Subsection B and who are dissatisfied with a licensee’s initial determination, may request review of the initial determination by the licensee by submitting a request to the Authority in writing (to the Menominee Consumer Financial Services Regulatory Authority, P.O. Box 687 Keshena, WI, 54135) no later than 90 days after being informed about the initial determination by the licensee.  The consumer’s written request must include the following information:
      • The consumer’s full name, as it appears on the consumer’s loan contract, as well as the consumer’s address, email address, and phone number.
      • A copy of the consumer’s loan agreement, or otherwise identify the loan agreement.
      • A copy of the licensee’s determination.
      • A written request that summarizes with specificity the events and circumstances giving rise to the alleged wrongful action or inaction of the financial services licensee or tribal debt collection licensee and the relief requested.
      • A statement requesting a review hearing before the Authority. If a hearing is requested, the consumer must indicate whether he will appear personally or if he would prefer to appear by telephone. The consumer must also indicate whether he will be represented by an attorney or if he will represent himself.
      • Any other information the consumer feels may be relevant to the complaint or that may assist the Authority evaluate the complaint.
    • The Authority shall investigate the dispute in any manner it chooses. The Authority may offer the complainant a fair opportunity to be heard regarding the dispute, in person or through telephonic conference, either before or after the Authority makes its own inquiries.
    • A complainant may be represented by legal counsel at the consumer’s own expense. The complainant’s opportunity to be heard, if granted, shall take place, except as determined by the Authority, no less than 10 days and no more than 60 days after the Authority receives the complainant’s written request.
    • In connection with a dispute, the Authority may conduct and issue such review, interviews, sworn statements, depositions, and other discovery as the Authority requests. In each instance, the licensee, complainant and other interested persons must cooperate with the Authority and provide such information and documents as the Authority deems necessary or advisable to make a determination.
    • After reviewing and/or investigating (if the Authority chooses), and within 30 days after affording the complainant an opportunity to be heard, the Authority shall issue a written opinion on the complainant’s written request for review, and shall mail a copy of the opinion to the complainant at his or her last known address.
    • The Authority shall consider all applicable tribal and federal law in its opinion.
    • The Authority may grant or deny a consumer complaint and grant or deny such relief, if any, as the Authority determines in its sovereign discretion. The opinion shall inform the complainant that he or she may appeal the Authority’s decision as set forth in this section.
    • A complainant may appeal an Authority opinion by filing a written appeal to the Tribal Court within 20 days of receiving the Authority’s final written decision in accordance with current rules of court and procedure of the Menominee Tribal Court. A Tribal Court review of any Authority opinion shall consider any applicable tribal and federal law and regulation.
    • The tribal dispute resolution process authorized under this chapter is considered by the Tribe to constitute a petition for redress submitted to a sovereign government, without waiver of sovereign immunity or exclusive jurisdiction, and does not create any binding procedural or substantive rights for a complainant.

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Loan Applications approved and processed by 2:00 PM CST of any business day will be funded the same day; Loan Applications approved and processed after 2:00 PM CST will be funded by the next business day. Unavoidable delays that occur as a result of bank holidays, the processing schedule of your particular bank, inadvertent processing errors, “acts of God,” and/or “acts of terror” may extend the time for the deposit and may cause a change in the Disbursement Date as disclosed herein.

West Side Lending LLC is an economic arm and instrumentality of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, a federally recognized sovereign Indian nation (the “Tribe”) that adheres to federal consumer finance laws and operates within the boundaries of the Tribe's reservation. West Side Lending LLC is chartered under and operates pursuant to Tribal Law. Funds borrowed from West Side Lending LLC are governed by federal law and the laws of the Tribe, not the law of the state where you reside. Nothing in this communication should be construed as a waiver of sovereign immunity, which is expressly reserved.

Please note: This is an expensive form of credit. West Side Lending’s loans are designed to assist you in meeting your short-term borrowing needs and are not intended as a long-term credit or financial solution. Examples of unexpected emergencies for which this credit might be used are car repair bills, medical care, or essential travel expenses. Appropriate alternatives to West Side Lending’s credit product are cash advances, personal loans, home equity lines of credit, existing savings, or borrowing from a friend or relative, as such alternatives may be less expensive and a better fit for your financial needs.

The Annual Percentage Rate (“APR”) as applied to your loan will range from 630%-780% depending on your payment schedule, pay frequency, loan term, and the amount of your loan. Non- payment may result in additional fees and collection activities as described in your loan agreement and as allowed by Tribal and applicable federal law.

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  • Customer Support

  •    support@westsidelend.com

  •    PO Box 687 Keshena, WI 54135

  •   Toll Free: 888-217-7531
           Tribal Dispute: 715-972-8688
           Fax: 920-770-0523

  • West Side Lending supports efforts to combat fraud in the lending industry. If you believe you have been a victim of fraud, please contact your local law enforcement authority and the Online Lenders Alliance Consumer Hotline at 866-299-7585.

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