Short answer
Buffalo Lake Lending appears to be a real operating lender: it has a BBB file opened in December 2021, a published phone number and mailing address in Fort Thompson, South Dakota, and a product listing on SuperMoney. Real does not mean affordable. The main concerns in public complaints are total cost and bank-debit practices, and a federal court docket shows a 2024 lawsuit naming the business.
What public sources confirm
| Item | What the sources say | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Business | Buffalo Lake Lending, a direct lender founded in 2021 | SuperMoney |
| Location | P.O. Box 254, Fort Thompson, SD 57339 (BBB); street address 142 Red Horse Lodge Rd listed by SuperMoney | BBB, SuperMoney |
| Phone | (800) 835-1988 | BBB, SuperMoney |
| Alternate name | Bison Lending | BBB |
| BBB | Rating A-, 12 complaints, not accredited | BBB |
| Loans | $200–$2,000, terms 3–18 months, 33 states | SuperMoney |
What the complaints and court docket show
BBB complaints and Trustpilot ratings repeat the same issues: repaying much more than borrowed, automatic debits, and slow or missing written confirmations. See our ratings summary for details. Loan sizes and terms are on our Buffalo Lake loans page.
A public docket on Justia shows a case filed on December 23, 2024 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (case 1:2024cv13172). The defendants listed include Bison Lending, doing business as Buffalo Lake Lending. The docket entries we saw only show that summonses were issued. We have not seen the claims or the outcome, so we draw no conclusion from it — read the docket yourself before relying on it.
Avoiding lookalike and confusing sites
Searching for this lender returns many pages that are not the lender. Some are generic articles written to rank in search results, and at least one separate website (buffalolakeloans.com) describes itself as offering Buffalo Lake Lending loans. We have not verified who runs it or how it relates to the lender.
- Check the web address before entering any personal or banking details.
- Be careful with names that sound alike. Post Lake Lending is a different online lender, and "Buffalo Lake" is also a place name in Minnesota, Alberta and elsewhere.
- Never pay an upfront "fee" to be approved. That is a classic scam signal.
- Use the contact details on your loan agreement, not those from an ad or random page.
This website is independent. We are not the lender, we do not hold accounts, and we cannot see anything about your loan.
Checklist before you apply
- Get the APR and the total of payments in writing.
- Confirm the number of payments and the exact debit dates.
- Ask how to revoke automatic debits and how to request a payoff letter.
- Check which state or tribal law governs the agreement (see tribal lending explained).
- Compare at least two alternatives.
Our assessment
Treat Buffalo Lake Lending as a real but high-risk small-dollar lender. If you are in a short-term bind, the safest approach is to compare the total repayment against cheaper options first. If you already have a loan and something looks wrong, document everything and use the complaint channels on our contact page.
Check your credit reports, consider a credit freeze, and report it at IdentityTheft.gov.
Frequently asked questions
Is Buffalo Lake Lending a scam?
Public records point to a real, operating lender. Complaints focus on cost and debit practices rather than a non-existent business. Always verify the website you are on and never pay upfront fees.
Is Buffalo Lake Lending the same as Bison Lending?
The BBB lists Bison Lending as an alternate name, and a federal docket names Bison Lending doing business as Buffalo Lake Lending.
Is Buffalo Lake Lending the same as Post Lake Lending?
No. Based on available information they are different online lenders with similar-sounding names.
Is this website the lender?
No. This is an independent information site. We cannot access or change any loan account.
Sources
- Better Business Bureau — Buffalo Lake Lending profile
- Better Business Bureau — Buffalo Lake Lending complaints
- Trustpilot — buffalolakelending.com page
- SuperMoney — Buffalo Lake Lending Loan
- SuperMoney — Buffalo Lake Lending (company)
- Justia Dockets — Stoicescu et al v. Bison Lending et al, 1:2024cv13172
- IdentityTheft.gov (FTC)
Information was gathered from these public pages and checked on October 25, 2026. Pages can change; check the original before relying on it.
Related pages
Buffalo Lake Lending Ratings & Complaints: What Borrowers Actually Report
What borrowers say about Buffalo Lake Lending on BBB, Trustpilot and SuperMoney: ratings, repeated complaints, and what to check before borrowing.
Is Buffalo Lake Lending a Tribal Lender? What That Means for You
Is Buffalo Lake Lending a tribal lender? What tribal lending means, why it matters for rates and disputes, and what to check in your loan agreement.
Buffalo Lake Lending Loan Cost: APR, Fees & a Free Calculator
What a Buffalo Lake Lending loan can really cost. Free APR calculator, a worked example from a BBB complaint, and what to ask before you sign.
Buffalo Lake Lending Phone Number & Contact Details
Buffalo Lake Lending phone number, mailing address, alternate name, and where to file a complaint (BBB, CFPB, state attorney general). Independent service.