Hi kmil780750r,
You should start your own thread in the PDL section, that way you would get more help. First we need to know the company name, how much the loan was for and how much you have paid to date. I am posting the info for WA from Goudah, its pretty straightforward, but someone with a little more experience should be along to help out.
From there depending on if the companies are legal or not, you would want to file complaints for the illegal companies with the BBB, FTC & banking department for WA. You also need to send them a cease & desist letter revoking your electronic withdrawl authorization, revoking your authorization to contact references and any wage assignments that you may have signed. Here are the laws:
Quote:
Washington State Information
Legal Status: Legal (Lender must have a small loan endorsement to their check casher license in order to make payday loans)
Citation:
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 31.45.010 et seq.
Loan Terms:
Maximum Loan Amount: $700
Loan Term: Max: 45 days
Maximum Finance Rate and Fees: 15%: first $500; 10%: remaining portion of the loan in excess of $500 up to the $700 maximum
Finance Charge for 14-day $100 loan: $15
apr for 14-day $100 loan: 390%
Debt Limits:
Maximum Number of Outstanding Loans at One Time: A company cannot hold a check or checks in an aggregate face amount of more than $700 plus allowable fees from any one borrower at any one time.
Rollovers Permitted: None (cannot repay loan with proceeds of another)
Cooling-off Period:
Repayment Plan: A company and a borrower may voluntarily enter a payment plan at any time. A borrower, however, has a right to convert a small loan to a statutory payment plan after four successive loans and prior to default on the last loan.
Collection Limits:
Collection Fees: $25 NSF fee (one time per instrument); collection costs (excluding attorney's fees, interest and damages)
Criminal Action: Prohibited
Where to Complain, Get Information:
Regulator: Washington Department of Financial Institutions
Address: Division of Consumer Services, PO Box 41200 Olympia WA 98504
Phone: (360) 902-8700
Fax: (360) 725-7827
Regulatory Contact: Chuck Cross,, Director of Consumer Services
Emails to and from the DFI:
From: James Rogersen [mailto:james.rogersen@yahoo.com]
Sent: Saturday, April 26, 2008 5:08 PM
To: Bortner, Deb (DFI)
Subject: Payday Loan Information
Good Afternoon,
My name is James Rogersen. I have extensive knowledge about some of the internet lenders preying on Washington consumers. I write extensively about them at usapaydayloan.net. My main question, however, is whether or not it is legal for an out of state licensed payday lender to lend to Washington residents without having a Washington license. A response would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You,
James Rogersen
Reply:
Subject: RE: Payday Loan Information
Date: Mon, 28 Apr 2008 08:54:38 -0700
From: "Leslie, Berri L (DFI)" <BLeslie> Add Mobile Alert
To: "James Rogersen" <james>
Good morning,
Thank you for your question. Yes, to lend money to Washington residents an entity, even out of state, must be licensed.
Berri Leslie, Program Manager
Administration and Licensing
Department of Financial Institutions
Division of Consumer Services
(360) 725-7839
(360) 664-2258 (Fax)
What does this mean?
Internet companies must be licensed by WA and follow WA law.
Specific rates may be charged.
No rollovers are allowed.
Unlicensed lenders cannot collect on the loans.
Thanks to James for providing this info