Like local car dealerships and personal injury law firms, short-term and payday lenders tend to have the most annoying commercials on TV. They’re often tacky and annoying, and tend to air during daytime talk shows or very late at night. Their promises of “fast cash,” “guaranteed approval,” and “no credit check required” are enough to make you turn your TV completely off.
And yet, if you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to get your hands on some extra money fast, those commercials might start making sense to you. If your car breaks down or you are short for this month’s rent payment and you have no emergency funds set aside, going to a payday lender or a pawnbroker may seem like your only option. However, the loans that they offer can be outrageously expensive and targeted at people who are clearly in a tight spot to begin with, which makes those businesses prime examples of predatory lending.
Before jumping at that fast-cash offer, take a moment to educate yourself about predatory lending. Then breathe, understand that you have alternatives, and make an action plan.
What is predatory lending?
According to Debt.org, predatory lending is any lending practice that imposes unfair or abusive loan terms on a borrower. It's also any practice that convinces a borrower to accept unfair terms through deceptive, coercive, exploitative, or unscrupulous actions for a loan that a borrower doesn’t need, doesn’t want, or can’t afford. By definition, predatory lending benefits the lender and ignores or hinders the borrower’s ability to repay the debt. These lending tactics often try to take advantage of a borrower’s lack of understanding about loans, terms, or finances.
Predatory lenders typically target minorities, the poor, the elderly, and the less educated. They also prey on people who need immediate cash for emergencies such as paying medical bills, covering a home repair or making a car payment. These lenders also target borrowers with credit problems or people who have recently lost their jobs. While these practices might qualify as "barely legal," they can cause lasting damage by leaving victims with ruined credit, the burden of unmanageable debt, or even homeless.
Predatory lenders go by a number of names.
Pawnbrokers: These predatory lenders are individuals or businesses that offer secured loans to people. They do this demanding the borrower use items of personal property as collateral. The word "pawn" is likely derived from the 15th century French word "pan," meaning "pledge" or "security." In fact, the items pawned to the broker are themselves called "pledges" or "pawns," or simply "the collateral."
Payday Lenders: These predatory lenders offer payday loans (also called payday advances, salary loans, payroll loans, small dollar loans, short-term loans, or cash advance loans). These are small, short-term unsecured loans, and their repayment isn't linked to a borrower’s payday.
Prepaid Debit Cards: Prepaid debit cards aren't typically considered predatory. However, some of these cards have been criticized for their higher-than-average fees (such as a flat fee added onto every purchase made with the card).
Loan Sharks: These predatory lenders are individuals or groups who offer loans at extremely high interest rates. The term usually refers to illegal activity, but may also refer to predatory lending activities like payday or title loans. Loan sharks sometimes enforce repayment by blackmail or threats of violence.
Predatory lending can also take the form of car loans, sub-prime loans, home equity loans, tax refund anticipation loans, or any type of consumer debt. Common predatory lending practices include a failure to disclose information, disclosing false information, risk-based pricing, and inflated charges and fees. These practices, either individually or when combined, create a cycle of debt that causes severe financial hardship for families and individuals.
You have alternatives.
If you are facing debt problems, you may feel that these types of lenders are your only option. Not true! You have a number of alternatives to taking out a high-cost loan:
Payment Plan with Creditors: The best alternative to payday loans is to deal directly with your debt. Working out an extended payment plan with your creditors may allow you to pay off your unpaid bills over a longer period of time.
Advance from Your Employer: Your employer may be able to grant you a paycheck advance in an emergency situation. Because this is a true advance and not a loan, there will be no interest.
Credit Union Loan: Credit unions typically offer affordable small, short-term loans to members. Unlike payday loans, these loans give you a real chance to repay with longer payback periods, lower interest rates, and installment payments.
Consumer Credit Counseling: There are numerous consumer credit counseling agencies throughout the United States that can help you work out a debt repayment plan with creditors and develop a budget. These services are available at little or no cost. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (nfcc.org) is a nonprofit organization that can help you find a reputable certified consumer credit counselor in your area.
Emergency Assistance Programs: Many community organizations and faith-based groups provide emergency assistance, either directly or through social services programs for weather-related emergencies.
Cash Advance on Your Credit Card: Credit card cash advances, which are usually offered at an annual percentage rate (APR) of 30% or less, are much cheaper than getting a payday loan. Some credit card companies specialize in consumers with financial problems or poor credit histories. You should shop around, and don’t assume that you do not qualify for a credit card.
Ultimately, you should know that you are in control, even if you find yourself in financial difficulties. There are plenty of alternatives to avoid high-cost borrowing from predatory lenders. Take time to explore your options.
