Tag Archives: consumer credit

Jun 14 2025

Payday Loans and Cash Advances Explained

Payday loans are loans for a small amount of money for a short time. They’re also called cash advances. Payday loans can be very expensive. Before you get a payday loan, look for other ways to borrow money.

How does a payday loan work?

  • Step 1: You give the lender a check for the money you want to borrow — plus the lender’s fees. OR you give the lender permission to take the loan amount and fees out of your bank, credit union, or prepaid card account.
  • Step 2: The lender gives you cash — minus the fees.
  • Step 3: You have to pay the lender back — usually two or four weeks later. If you don’t, the lender can cash the check or withdraw the money from your account.

Lenders have to tell you the cost of the loan in writing before you sign the loan agreement.

Make sure you understand how much the loan really costs in finance charges and annual percentage rate, or APR. The finance charge shows the cost of the loan in dollars. The APR shows how much it costs you to borrow the money for one year.

If you can, borrow only what you can pay back with your next paycheck.

What happens if I can’t pay the lender back?

It could cost you a lot more money.

If you can’t pay the lender back when the loan is due, they might let you borrow the money for two or four more weeks. This is called a rollover.

But to roll over the loan, you have to pay the fee that’s due, plus a new fee to extend the due date.

If you roll over the loan a few times, you could end up paying hundreds of dollars in fees. And you’ll still owe the original money you borrowed.

What other options do I have?

Before you decide to get a payday loan:

  • Ask for more time to pay your bills.
  • Try borrowing money from family or friends, a bank or credit union, or your credit card.
  • Talk to a credit counselor to get help.

For more information, click here.

Teaching Suggestions

  • If you need to borrow money, should you borrow from a relative or a friend?  Or, from a payday Lender?
  • Make a list of sources where you can get inexpensive and medium-priced loans.

Discussion Questions

  1. How does a payday loan work?
  2. Why is it important to explore other financing options before taking out a payday loan?
  3. What happens if you can’t pay the lender back on time?
May 27 2023

“Buy Now, Pay Later” Users

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (www.consumerfinance.gov) recently conducted a study of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) users.  While many of the respondents did not encounter significant financial stress, BNPL users were much more likely to:

  • be highly indebted; have lower credit scores.
  • have high credit card utilization rates and revolve the balance on their credit cards.
  • have delinquencies with traditional credit products.
  • use high-interest financial services such as payday, pawn, and overdraft compared to non-BNPL borrowers.

BNPL borrowers generally have access to traditional forms of credit, using credit and retail cards, personal loans, student debt, and auto loans. The report estimates that a majority of BNPL borrowers would encounter annual credit card interest rates between 19 and 23 percent.

BNPL users tend to be younger. About 22 percent of consumers under age 35 borrowed using BNPL, while approximately 10 percent of those over the age of 65 used the service. Renters (22 percent) were more likely to be a BNPL user compared to homeowners (15 percent).

BNPL borrowing is viewed as less costly than other credit sources, such as credit cards or payday loans. However, consumers need to be aware of the potential concerns. While advertised as “no interest,” late or missed payments can trigger high fees, which can result in paying more than the original cost. BNPL will not improve your credit score, but it could damage it due to missed or late payments. BNPL can be a doorway to financial difficulties, especially if you use it for more than one purchase at a time.  

For additional information on buy now, pay later, click here.

Teaching Suggestions

  • Have students talk to someone who has used BNPL to learn about the person’s experience with this credit source.
  • Have students create an audio file or podcast with a summary of the benefits and drawbacks of BNPL borrowing.

Discussion Questions 

  1. What features of BNPL services are most attractive to consumers?
  2. What advice would you give a person who is considering using BNPL?
Feb 26 2022

THE NEW “BUY NOW, PAY LATER”

For a long time, “buy now, pay later” (BNPL) has referred to the use of credit. However, recently a new BNPL approach has surfaced, and is growing. Today, financial technology (FinTech) companies are using a different method to finance consumer purchases.

BNPL providers include Affirm, Afterpay, Klarna, Zip, and PayPal. The BNPL plan allows consumers to obtain a purchase immediately and then make a series of equal payments, often four payments each due two weeks apart. The first payment is due at the time of purchase.

Most BNPL plans charge interest and late fees. These plans often offer financing to customers with bad credit or no credit. BNPL is used mainly for online shopping although the plan is also available in some stores. Purchases of technology, furniture, clothing, beauty care products, groceries, health care services, and to eat at restaurants are the most common uses of BNPL.

The main benefits of BNPL mentioned by consumers, include to:

  • spread cost of expensive items over time.
  • buy items that they might not otherwise be able to afford.
  • avoid credit card debt.
  • try out the BNPL method.
  • not have to wait until payday to buy an item.

When selecting a BNPL plan, search for those with low or no interest and low or no late fees. Remember when using BNPL, you are still taking on debt. This easy access to credit often results in overspending. Some people will make purchases through multiple plans resulting in greater financial difficulties.

Be sure you can pay on time to avoid late fees and interest charges. Unlike traditional loans, BNPL providers may not report to credit bureaus, so you are not building a credit record.

For additional information on BNPL, click on these articles:

Article #1

Article #2

Teaching Suggestions

  • Have students ask if any friends or relatives have used a BNPL plan. Obtain information about their experiences.
  • Have students create a visual poster, slide presentation, or video with the benefits and drawbacks of BNPL plans.

Discussion Questions 

  1. What aspects of BNPL might create financial difficulties?
  2. Describe actions a person might take to evaluate a BNPL plan.
Apr 4 2020

FINRA Investor Education Foundation Publishes “The State of U.S. Financial Capability”

Did you know that in 2018:

  • 19% of households spent more than their income?
  • 46% of individuals lacked an emergency fund?
  • 35% of credit card holders paid only the minimum on their credit cards?

In September 2019, the FINRA Foundation released data from its latest Financial Capability Study—one of the largest and most comprehensive financial capability studies in the United States. Among the findings, younger Americans, those with lower incomes, African-Americans and those without a college degree face the toughest financial struggles. More than 27,000 respondents participated in the nationwide study. Conducted every three years beginning in 2009, it measures key indicators of financial capability and evaluates how these indicators vary with underlying demographic, behavioral, attitudinal and financial literacy characteristics—both nationwide and state-by-state.

For more information, click here

Teaching Suggestions:

  • Ask students if they spend more than their income in a given year.
  • Ask students if they have a rainy day fund. If not, why?
  • Ask students if they pay in full when the credit card bill arrives. If not, why?

Discussion Questions

  1. What might be some reasons why almost one in five households spends more than their income?
  2. Why is it important to have a rainy day fund? Why almost half of Americans lack such a fund?
  3. Why is it vital to pay credit card bills in full? What are the costs of paying a minimum balance?
Dec 5 2015

Attention College Students: Student Loans, Debit and Prepaid Cards

College students often make financial decisions that can have consequences for years.  Getting a student loan or credit cards can influence long-term financial success.  Here are the ways to strengthen your decision-making skills:

  1. Do your research before applying for a student loan. If you have to borrow to pay for some or all of a college education, review the different types of student loans.  Choose one that’s low-cost and has a flexible repayment terms, which will generally be a federal student loan.
  2. Understand the pros, cons and costs of debit and prepaid cards. Debit cards enable you to withdraw money from your checking accounts for purchases or cash.  Prepaid cards are used to access money that has been loaded (added) onto the card, which is not connected to a bank account.
  3. Use credit cards responsibly: While credit cards are a convenient way to establish a credit history, they can make it easier to spend money. Purchases that cannot be paid in full by the due date will incur interest

For more information, click here.

Teaching Suggestions

  • Ask students if they have an outstanding student loan. Was the process of financing an education daunting and time consuming?
  • Ask students to visit the College Affordability and Transparency Center website (collegecost.ed.gov) for choosing the financial aid package that best suits their needs.

Discussion Questions

  1. Why is it important that you find the most affordable education that fits your budget, future career, and long-term financial goals?
  2. What might be the benefits of understanding the pros, cons, and costs of debit and prepaid cards?
  3. Are school-affiliated cards the best deal for all students? Why or why not?
Apr 29 2015

Disputing an Error in Your Credit Report

If you find an error in a report from a credit reporting agency, you may submit a dispute not only to the credit reporting agency, but also directly to the company that is the source of the information. If the company corrects your information as a result of your dispute, it must notify all of the credit reporting agencies to which it provided the inaccurate information, so they can update their reports with the correct information.

If you submit a dispute by mail, your dispute letter should include your complete name, address, telephone number, your confirmation number (if available), and the account number.  Clearly identify each mistake, state the facts, explain why you are disputing the information, and request that it be removed or corrected.

You may want to enclose a copy of the portion of your credit report that contains the disputed items and circle or highlight the disputed items.  You should include copies (not originals) of documents that support your position.  Send your letter by certified mail and ask for a return receipt, so that you will have a record that you letter was received.

For more information, click here.

Teaching Suggestions

  • Ask students to request their own credit report and check for any errors.
  • Ask students to draft a letter of complaint if they find any errors in their credit report.

Discussion Questions

  1. Where else can consumers submit a credit reporting complaint?
  2. If you suspect that error in your credit report as a result of an identity theft, what steps can you take to protect yourself?
Apr 22 2015

Protecting Your Retirement Pension

Pension advance lenders offer retirees and veterans a loan or cash advances in exchange for all or part of their pension payments.  Paying back the advance or loan, plus the high interest and fees that such loans typically include, could threaten older Americans’ retirement security.

If you are considering a pension advance, follow these do’s and don’ts:

  • If you are asked to sign up for life insurance with the pension advance, you could end up paying the insurance premium.
  • If you are resorting to pension advances due to financial difficulties, consider getting financial coaching or counseling from a professional.
  • Don’t be fooled by patriotic-sounding names, logos, or claims of government backing.
  • Don’t give anyone access or control over your monthly pension payments.

For additional information, and learn more, click here.

Teaching Suggestions

  • Ask students to research local non-profit credit counseling agencies and what services they provide.
  • Why is it important not to give anyone access or control over your monthly pension payment?

Discussion Questions

  1. Why do people resort to pension advance loans?
  2. What are other alternatives to pension advance loans?
  3. What recommendation should you take to protect your retirement pension when considering an advance?
Apr 8 2015

Caution: Car Title Loans Can Leave You Stranded

Have you seen a sign offering a car title loan—also known as a pink-slip loan, title pledge or title pawn?  These loans are use your paid-off car as collateral, and you get a small, short-term loan with a high interest rate.  You usually have to repay the loan in 15 or 30 days, and the annual percentage rate (APR) is often more than 100 percent.  If you don’t pay back the loan, the company can repossess your car—and then you’re worse off than you were before.  It’s a very expensive way to get money.

Before you decide to take out a car title loan, weigh some options.

  • Can you get a small loan from your bank, credit union or a small loan company? Even a cash advance on a credit card might cost less than a car title loan.
  • Shop for the offer with the lowest cost. Compare the APR and the finance charges, and borrow only what you can repay in time.

For additional information, click here.

Teaching Suggestions:

  • Ask students how they can avoid costly loans like car title loans?
  • Why car title loans are considered risky and undesirable?

Discussion Questions

  1. What can consumers do if car title lenders fail to disclose all the qualifying terms associated with obtaining a loan at its advertised rate?
  2. What can government agencies do to protect consumers in the short-term lending and auto marketplaces?
Jan 24 2015

Refinancing Loans: Not Just for Mortgages

Most people know they can refinance a mortgage—that is, replace an existing loan with a new one that may offer better terms.  But did you know you can also refinance personal loans, including auto loans, credit cards and student loans?

“Refinancing a personal loan may save you money, especially if you get a lower interest rate, a lower monthly payment or other benefits,” notes Susan Boenau, Chief of the FDIC’s Consumer Affairs Section.  “However, refinancing does not always equate to saving money or better terms.”

Understand potential pitfalls in refinancing a personal loan.  For example:

  • You may have a higher APR than what you were originally paying when the promotional rate ends.
  • Closing a credit card account also reduces your available credit and may adversely affect your credit score.
  • A balance transfer may result in your account having multiple interest rates.
  • You may be assessed a prepayment penalty if you refinance a loan before it matures.
  • If your credit score is low, wait to refinance until you can raise it.

For more information, click here.

Teaching Suggestions

  • Ask students to prepare a list of similarities and differences between a home equity loan and refinancing personal loans.
  • Ask students to use the Internet to obtain information about refinancing.

Discussion Questions

  1. What are the possible advantages and disadvantages of refinancing?
  2. What are your legal remedies if a credit reporting agency engages in unfair reporting practices?
Aug 9 2014

Is Your Credit Card Denied By Mistake?

When your credit card issuer suspects fraudulent activity on your credit card, it triggers a red flag to deny the charge.  Generally, it is a great protection.  But if you are making the purchase and not a thief, it can be frustrating.  Some purchase patterns that could cause your purchase to be denied include:

  • A purchase for a small dollar amount, followed by a large purchase. Credit card thieves sometimes make a small dollar “test purchase” followed by big ticket items, so this raises a red flag.
  • Multiple purchases back-to-back in a short span of time.
  • Making purchases in a new city, in a different part of town, or in stores where you do not normally shop.

Though inconvenient, these protections are to keep you from being a victim of fraud.  Take these steps to prevent or deal with a credit card purchase being denied by mistake:

  • Inform your credit card company if you will be using your card out of town (especially internationally).
  • Update your billing address if you move, so that the company recognizes the new pattern of purchases as a new normal.
  • Make sure the company has your cell phone number so that it can contact you faster to verify or authorize a purchase.
  • Contact your credit company immediately if your purchase is denied.

For more information go to http://www.usa.gov/topics/consumer/consumer-action-handbook.pdf

Teaching Suggestions

  • Ask students if their credit card was ever denied in error.
  • If the transaction was denied, how did they resolve the problem.

Discussion Questions

  1. What are a few reasons that your credit card purchase might be denied?
  2. What can you do to avoid such an embarrassment at the check-out counter?