Oregon – Oregon’s Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) reports that its consumer advocates recovered $1,836,127 for Oregonians during the third quarter of 2025, bringing the total returned to consumers this year to $5,658,813.
DFR’s consumer advocacy team assists residents experiencing problems with insurance, mortgages, banking products, student loans, securities, and other financial services regulated by the agency. Their work involves reviewing complaints, contacting companies, and ensuring consumers receive fair treatment under state law.
“Oregon’s Division of Financial Regulation makes sure every day Oregonians get a fair shake,” said Gov. Tina Kotek. “Their work is a powerful reminder of what effective consumer protection looks like in action.”
From July through September, DFR received 1,422 complaints. Insurance-related issues once again dominated, with 890 filings — the largest quarterly total of the year. Credit union complaints followed at 53, with mortgage servicers at 44 and student loan concerns at 32. Earlier in the year, more than $3.8 million was recovered through nearly 2,800 complaints in quarters one and two.
Several third-quarter cases illustrate the impact of the advocates’ work:
• Home fire claim correction: After a July 4 firework caused significant home damage, a consumer reported slow progress on an insurance claim. Following DFR intervention, the insurer expanded the repair scope and paid an additional $40,872.18.
• Unexpected medical bill: A consumer facing a $42,009.82 out-of-network surgery bill sought help when the insurer could not estimate costs beforehand. After DFR involvement, the insurer negotiated a single-case agreement, lowering the consumer’s responsibility to $3,316.55.
• Long-term care policy dispute: A woman filing claims for her disabled husband was misinformed about approved care providers. With DFR assistance and verification of recorded calls, the insurer overturned its denial and agreed to pay the claims.
“I am very proud of the level of professionalism and expertise our consumer advocates display every day,” said Sean O’Day, director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, which oversees DFR. “They are helping people with issues that have real impacts on the daily lives of Oregonians.”
Anyone needing assistance can call 888-877-4894 or email dfr.insurancehelp@dcbs.oregon.gov for insurance issues and dfr.finanicialserviceshelp@dcbs.oregon.gov for financial services concerns.
“Our team of industry experts continues to put its knowledge to work for the benefit of Oregonians,” said TK Keen, DFR administrator and Oregon insurance commissioner. “Their work does not go unnoticed and I am happy to see so much money going back to hard-working people.”
Across the first three quarters of 2025, DFR logged 4,220 complaints. Insurance accounted for 2,530, followed by credit unions (154), mortgage servicers (152), and student loans (105). Recoveries totaled $5.66 million through September.
