Texas Targets Okla.-Based Payday Lending Firm

DALLAS (AP) - Texas has sued a payday lender that allegedly misrepresented itself as a government agency in some mailings.

Attorney General Greg Abbott on Friday announced a temporary restraining order against Patrick D. "Dylan" White and Federal Cash Advance of Oklahoma LLC, based in Norman. The company did business as CASHMAX, Fed Cash, TOPCASH and Cash Service Center.

Investigators say some alleged deceptive collection letters had government seals of Dallas County and the state, plus a clerk's forged signature. The court order bars the company from continuing to send fraudulent mailings.

White on Friday told The Associated Press that he had not been served with the lawsuit and believes the matter involves an employee who no longer works for the company.

Abbott seeks fines of up to $20,000 per violation.

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