Extreme collection methods: OK, let's say that you're cool with the fees and the interest rates. What if you can't pay off your loan on time? Well, if you take the time to read the fine print in the contract you agree to, it (unsurprisingly) favors the lender, not you. Every paycheck advance company has its own policies and methods, with some more savory than others. In their attempts to get their loan repaid, it's not unheard of for these lenders to make calls to your workplace, to call your family members, and even to make threats. The line between legal and illegal collections methods is not always recognized.
Nasty consequences: Another result of not being able to repay your loan on time is that your loan can get "flipped, " becoming a new loan, with new terms and new fees. With payday loans, the amount you owe tends to rise quickly. This is a big deal because anyone who is desperate enough to need a paycheck advance is likely not on the soundest financial footing, and suddenly owing much more than you expected to is supremely counterproductive. A 2013 CFPB report noted that the median number of days borrowers were indebted annually was 199 - more than half the year! Another nasty consequence is that borrowers will sometimes give lenders access to their bank accounts, only to then have the lender making withdrawals for interest while not reducing the loan balance. Or making withdrawals that result in new fees charged by the bank. If this happens to you, you can contact the bank and revoke withdrawal authorization for the lender.
Hacking: As if the issues above aren't enough, those who seek paycheck advances online have increasingly been targeted by hackers. With many states cracking down on brick-and-mortar payday lenders, many borrowers are looking to online sources of loans. That requires entering a lot of personal information into these lenders' databases, though, such as names, addresses, Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, bank account numbers, and more. This kind of data is a goldmine for identity thieves.
Alternatives to paycheck advances
Fortunately, most people in financial dire straits do have some other options besides payday loans:
- You may not want to borrow from a friend or relative, but that's likely to cost you a lot less.
- You can also contact those to whom you owe money (such as a credit card company, your landlord, utility companies, etc.) and discuss the situation. They may agree to give you more time to pay, or may set up an alternative payment schedule.
- A community-development credit union might be able to offer you a small loan, and social service agencies may be able to ease your burden via assistance with food, heating, and housing expenses.
- Credit card debt can also be a treacherous minefield, but it can be a preferable one. It should only be among your last resorts, but consider charging more onto your cards or taking out a cash advance on one. Those interest rates can be steep and dangerous, too, but much less so than with most payday loans.
- Before you go to a payday lender for a paycheck advance, ask your employer for one. You may get some help there.
There are a few situations in which a paycheck advance can make sense, such as if you're dealing with a lender who has very reasonable terms and you're very certain that you will be able to pay back the money on time. Otherwise, look elsewhere for financial relief, lest you make a bad situation worse.
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