Payday Loans Q & A

Making ends meet can be quite difficult for most people. It is a sad, disheartening fact that most people are living paycheck to paycheck. When an emergency comes their entire world turns upside down and they find themselves in serious trouble financially. They may not be able to go to a bank for a loan. Either the amount is too small to borrow or they do not have any collateral or the credit needed in order to borrow from a banking institution the traditional way. Pawn shops and selling important items can be attempted but you wind up getting ripped off and only receiving a tiny fraction of what the item is really worth. There are other options to consider if you need money and need it fast. Payday loans may be able to help you out until your next payday. In this article we will discuss some of the questions and concerns you may have regarding the payday loans services offered.

What are payday loans?

Payday loans are short term loans made by specialized businesses. These loans are designed to be repaid within two weeks or one month depending on when your payday is. The money can be used for anything and the process of taking out the loan is relatively simple. The amounts will vary depending upon income level. The amount of interest will vary according to the amount of money borrowed. There is no credit check involved and they do not report to a credit agency.

How much can a person borrow?

The amount you can borrow from a payday loan company is dependent on two factors. The limitations of your income and the limitations of the company play the two biggest factors in borrowing money. Online payday associations tend to be able to loan bigger amounts but those still come with high interest rates. The more you take out as a loan is just more money plus interest and fees that you will be repaying. You should really try not to take out any amount over what is absolutely essential.

Is it better to go online or go into a business in person to get a payday loan?

If you need immediate funds that cannot wait a day or two then the best bet is to go into a payday advance business yourself. The online loan companies will need time to wire the money to your account and it will take time to verify the information. They are also usually the most lenient about repaying the loan and demand that your paycheck be directly deposited into your account. Some standing stores may have these policies as well but not always. The best course of action is to compare the two and decide which ones work best for your particular needs.

What type of information will they need from me?

Most payday loan companies need a few items from you. The first is an open checking account that has been open for longer than three months. You will need to bring in the most recent bank statement for verification. You will need your most recent paycheck stub and a copy of your identification. Some businesses will want to see a copy of a utility bill to ensure that your address is on file should something go wrong. Some payday loan companies require that your paycheck be direct deposited. You will have to ask in order to be sure.

What is the interest rate?

The interest for payday loans are quite steep. Most payday loans businesses charge up to twenty-five percent for a two week loan. You can see how quickly the interest charges can add up if you must continue to borrow money from the payday loan company. Check the paperwork for that business to see the accurate dollar amount that will be charged for each hundred dollars you receive.

When do I have to payback the money?

Most payday loan companies have their repayment dates set up for your next payday. If you get paid every two weeks, your loan will be due in two weeks. If you only get paid once a month you will have to repay that amount on that day. Remember one thing though: the longer you have the money out the more interest rate you will be paying. It is in your best interest to repay the payday loan as quickly as possible.

What happens if I don't have the money to repay the payday loans?

That would be a big "uh oh" because they want their money back. The most feasible solution, and one used most often, is to take out the money loan again before you attempt to pay bills. Some people find they cannot afford to pay back the entire loan so they simply borrow again, but at this time a lower amount of money. This gradually pays down the loan until they can finish paying it off. The big problem comes when you do not have enough cash to pick up the loan note and take it out again. If this is your situation you will need to talk to the loan company immediately. Some may be able to work out a deal with you to pay another week's interest until you get the money you need.

Will they check my credit?

One of the benefits of using a payday loans company, besides getting the cash you need immediately, is that they do not run a credit check to determine your eligibility. Their main consumer markets are those individuals who could not obtain a short term loan from a bank or do not have credit cards.

What if my banking account is overdrawn?

Most payday loan companies understand that this may be the reason you are in such dire need to borrow money. But…there are some loan companies, especially online, that frown on being overdrawn because it makes them doubt whether or not you will be able to repay the amount of money you are borrowing. You will have to check the payday loan company's policy on being overdrawn.

Will they loan me money if I am drawing worker's compensation or an SSI check?

Most payday loan companies will let you borrow money if you are receiving a SSI check. The problem may be if you are drawing a worker's compensation check. Those tend to be less stable and many companies will not allow you to use them as income. You will have to ask the customer service agent to be sure.

What if my paycheck is not direct deposited?

If your paycheck is not direct deposited this can be a big problem when trying to deal with online loan companies or other payday services that require that paychecks be directly deposited. You may find yourself in a situation where you are unable to borrow the money. If this is the case you really need to talk with your payroll department and have them begin direct depositing your paycheck directly into your banking account.