If you found yourself short on cash, you could try applying for a payday loan – but keep in mind that it’s going to cost you.
A payday loan grants you access to cash to bridge the gap until your payday. But payday loans are not to be taken lightly because they are a very expensive short-term solution. As such, anyone who wants to apply for it must know the rules and prepare to repay on the due date. With that in mind, here is a detailed explanation of everything you need to know about payday loans:
Where To Apply For A Payday Loan?
Payday loans are available at brick-and-mortar shops with websites similar to My Canada Payday Loans. Of course, an online payday lender gives you the convenience of not leaving your home.
But the rules that surround payday loans will vary depending on which location offers them. For example, lenders have to follow restrictions on how much they can approve to lend and the capped amount of interest rates and fees.
The Payday Loan Application Process
Decide how much you need and fill out the application form; loan amounts in Canada range from CAD$50 to CAD$1000. At a minimum, you’ll need to provide a digital copy of your ID, salary stub, and bank account number. However, they might need more information depending on the cash lender app.
The application can take as quickly as 15 minutes. But if you made the application during the weekend, the lender might send the approval during the next business day. You will then receive the cash in your bank account.
How Much Do You Pay Back?
Unlike traditional loans, payday loans have extremely high-interest rates. You should also consider if a payday loan is for you because not everyone can afford to pay it back. As such, it’s advisable to learn enough financial tips on how you can manage your finances before taking out a loan. Just how high are payday loan interest rates compared to other options? Here’s a brief comparison of how much interest various lenders charge for credit:
- Bank loan or credit line; credit union 8% to 10%
- Credit cards annual interest of up to 24%
- Overdraft protection 21% annual interest
- Payday lenders 442% annual interest rate
What Happens If The Loan Defaulted?
The principal amount plus the interest can be pretty high, which causes some borrowers to default on the loan. But what happens when they refuse to pay back what they owe? You might be given a few days to repay your loan, but if you show no signs of wanting to do that, the lender will almost certainly report your default to a credit reporting agency. If your credit was pristine, your credit history would now be tarnished by a lower score. When your credit score is lower, it will be tougher to get a new loan in the future. Remember that a negative entry can stay in your credit report for seven years.
What’s even more dangerous is when dubious lenders hire shady characters to come and collect your payment for them. If you write a check, the lenders will then press charges on the grounds of fraud if the account doesn’t contain sufficient funds. The law could come after you because it’s illegal to own accounts with insufficient funds and still continue to issue checks, although post-dated checks are an exemption.
In Canada, the following can also happen, depending on provincial law:
- A payday lender or financial institution can charge you a fee if the due date passed and they could not deduct payment from your account due to insufficient funds.
- Even if you refuse to pay your loan back, the amount and the interest rate will continue to increase.
- Payday lenders could contact your family, relatives, friends, and colleagues in an attempt to make you repay.
- The lender could sue you for your debt.
- The lender or the collection agency could take your property instead of the money you won’t pay back.
- The payday lender can file a case against you so that they can get the money from your salary.
So, as you can see, failing to make payment can not only get you in trouble, but it can also force you into an unwanted cycle of debt.
The Bottom Line
Payday loans can indeed help you if you understand how they work – but they come at a cost. Once you accept the high-interest rate, you must realize that you need to pay back the loan or suffer the consequences. Just be sure to read the terms and conditions before signing to understand where you’ve committed yourself.
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