Thousands of Complaints Shows Troublesome Side to Predatory Lending

According to Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (CFPB) records, close to 10,000 complaints against short-term loan companies have been filed since 2014. The group that studied the CFPB records found that 9 out of 10 complaints dealt with consumers being unable to afford the repayment terms. The Arizona PIRG Education Fund, the group who performed the study, found that most of these complaints link to payday loans.

One thing is interesting about these complaints from Arizona borrowers, payday loans are illegal in Arizona and have been since 2010. The director of the group blames title loans, which are still legal. In fact, as of 2015, there were 30 title loan companies in Arizona. While payday loans were banned, people still take out title loans to get cash in a hurry. Flex loans are also gaining ground in Arizona and let you borrow against your car’s registration rather than your car’s title.

Payday loans do have high interest rates. Companies increase the interest rates because they’re lending to people with poor credit scores. It’s high risk for them, so fees are higher. You can avoid paying the higher fees by taking out a payday loan responsibly.

You don’t have to become a statistic. You can take out a payday loan, title loan, or flex loan without running into problems. First, remember that you should exhaust other options before taking out a cash advance loan. Sell household items, borrow from friends, family, or even your church. Second, if you must take out a cash advance loan, compare rates using online services that shop around for you. Find the best rate and payment terms and carefully note when the payment is due and how much is due in full.

Set aside the money you need to repay the loan. Don’t leave it in an account where you may accidentally spend it. Be sure you have the money needed to repay your payday loan a few days before the loan is due. Don’t wait until the last minute to try to get the funds together. This helps you avoid delinquencies and late payment fees that can drastically drive up the amount you owe.