OK so years ago they sent me a letter stating I was "pre-approved" for a Personal Loan. They waited until they got all of my proof of income, personal docs, etc. to tell me that the loan isn't a personal loan, it's a Car Title Loan. And they didn't pre-approve me because of my credit (the letter definitely said it was on credit), it was pre-approved based on the fact they publicly researched me and saw I owned a car they could put a lien on. I got pissed and left without signing.
That's strike one.
THEN: I get a letter in the mail. No return address, looks like a US Treasury Check on the inside. I'm on SSA, so I go ahead and open it up. Turns out it's ANOTHER ADVERTISEMENT for me to get a Personal Loan at the same store. LOOOOOONG advertisement, just look at the thing! Only thing is, I pay attention to my credit score now. And as it turns out, my score is too low for a personal loan. What changed? I leased a used car last year. Shows up in the public database, but doesn't tell them I'm leasing it.
Anyways, something felt off so I started to think: Why would they send me an add that looks like a US Treasury check from the outside, and has no return address?.. THEN IT CLICKED. They had my proof of income from last time, and used their knowledge about my SSA income to draft an advertisement to send to me (that they likely also have other copies to send to other SSA recipients), all so I wouldn't throw away out of hand. And the fact that it had no return address on it? I'm a disgruntled former customer from the last time they pulled a BAIT & SWITCH on me, and designed this apparent Bait & Switch attempt, hoping I wouldn't recognize their name, address and then ALSO just throw the letter away.
THAT'S STRIKE TWO.
Look folks, these people lie, they know they lie, and they'll keep lying to people getting them to come in and hand over their personal information. They tell you it's one thing, then say it's another right before signing. They PRETEND to be issuing out checks on behalf of a U.S. Federal Agency, but no it's just an Ad. Even has the store manager's signature on it!
"Russel" it says.
Me personally, I don't do business with people that LIE TO MY FACE as their opening move in the conversation.
EDIT: years later and they're still sending me the fake U.S. Treasury Check advertisements.