For the purpose of discovering violations of this chapter or securing information required by it under this chapter, the department or its duly designated representative may investigate at any time the loans and business and examine the books, accounts, records, and files used in the business, of every licensee and of every person engaging in the business described in AS 06.20.010, whether the person acts or claims to act as principal or agent, or under or without the authority of this chapter. For that purpose the department and its duly designated representative have free access to the office and place of business, books, accounts, papers, records, files, safes, and vaults of all such persons. The department and all persons duly designated by it may require the attendance and examination under oath of all persons whose testimony it may require relative to the business.