I am not sure where to start

Guest, We are all here becuase we fell into the pdl trap for one reason or another. There are no judgements here. If you give us a little more information we can begin to help you. We need to know what state you live in, the namtes of the companies, if the are store front or internet, how much you borrowed from each and the total of how much you have paid back to each. This information is important so we know which laws you need to follow and if we know which companies you are dealing with and where you are in paying them it helps us guide you into the next step.

Sorry...I was not logged in... I listed some of this on a similar thread, but I will list the internet loans I have....

Internet:
BIG...$200...paid $85
US Fast Cash...$300...paid 90$
Capitol...$300...paid $90
United Cash...300$...paid 90$
Cash Spot...$300...paid back $189.00
Little Loan shop...$300...paid 90$
I paid off Nationwide and SSM...

And Storefront...the ones I have had for years.
Cash Express. $300...fees for years.($60 a month)
Quick Cash..$600...fees for at least a year ($120 a month)
Advance America..$300...($60)
Check Into Cash...$200 ($60)
Advance Financial...$400 (120$)
Cash City $600.00.... ($120)

I live in TN...O.B. McClinton, the C&M singer once called me the "One dumbest.....woman in the world" after I hit his car...guess he was right?
No one on here has admitted to being this dumb which is why I refused to say how much I owed. I am desperate now....and stupid.
Can I go to jail for this?

Egyptcrossarabs as Roxy says, there are no judgements here. We've all had problems with payday loans and other debt. You asked were you start. Well, you start by realizing you are not "One dumbest...woman in the world." Bad things happen to good people and if you could go to jail for debt, I think we'd all have to go. Don't beat yourself up. You've been through a rough time and you're trying to get your financial life back. I'm fairly new here myself but, I know there are great people here who can point you in the right direction. Someone should be along to post the laws in your state so, you can know how much you are legally obligated to pay on those loans. Hang in there. You can get through this.

Bless you....I needed that

Hello, I understand how you feel, I have been there too, and am still working on some of my other debts. I will post your state laws for you, hang in there as someone will be along to advise you soon.

You will find the Payday loan laws for Tennessee here (just select your state),
http://www.debtconsolidationcare.com/paydayloan/explain-pdls-laws.html

Egyptcrossarabs we've all been there. Eventhough you said you didn't know where to start, you've already done great. After all, you found this site.

getting out of debt is not easy but, having support really makes a difference. You will have support here.

Well maybe...the first time they asked for who I owed, I thought I cannot possibly answer this....that was a few weeks ago. But as things have worsened...I know that I need all the help I can get.

egypt, I know it is difficult to answer some of the questions and you feel completely embarrassed but by taking this big step you are going to help yourself get out of this and the sense of freedom, accomplishment and control are well worth it. I had 9 internet pdls and was loosing 2/3 of my check every two weeks. Garbage happens and we do what we need to do at the time and then it snowballs. If anyone in this world can understand and not be judgemental, it is the people here. We have all come here for one reason or another to get help and take control...that being said....

I am going to start with the internet...I see Shazzers posted TN laws for you. Internet companies do not need to be licensed by TN. As long as they are licensed in another state they can lend legally. They must follow the laws of the state they are licensed in. I can tell by looking that some of yours are not licensed anywhere so that is good. When will these come due? That is important for closing your account. You will need to close your account but we also have the storefronts to deal with....are these current. That will make a difference in which way we guide you.

Please read this about closing your account, it has really good information. You will need to investigate your options with your bank. If they can not close it, they need to place a hard debit block on it to keep anymore pdl withdrawls from comming out.

http://www.debtconsolidationcare.com/paydayloan/close-account.html

I am going to investigate your internets, I know two of your storefronts, if they are current will work out payment plans with you becuase they are members of CFSA. (Advance America and Check into Cash).

Hang in there. We will get you through this.

The internet ones do not come due until the 22nd. The stores are all current. The one I am the most worried about is Advance Financial as they have been most unkind to me ...like I told them because of my work I must come in on Sat. I have done this for two years and one girl there confronted me with being *habitually late* in front of another customer. I am afraid they will hang me.

I could conceiveably pay them off if the others will work with me.

I will check on the storefronts...if you want you can go to www(dot)cfsa(dot)net and read about them. The member list is on there as well. That is where I will check for the membership. With those you must go in to the store no later than the day before the loan is due and ask for an extended payment plan. They will divide what you owe into four payments. If they are not members it does not mean they will not work with you. At times the stores are difficult and you have to go to the district or regional managers. There are those here with experience with the storefronts and even the companies you named who will share their experiences with you.

If your internets are set to come out on the 22 you have a little time to get your bank in order...you do need to get with your payroll, if you have direct deposit, some payrolls require time to change the account to which the deposit goes to.

Thanks so much I tried www.cfsa.com and came up with nothing. duh....

eqypt, do not beat yourself up. Please. This is why we are all here. Okay. 5/3 Bank. You've got time to get yourself in there close that account. Yes, they will force your account back open if you have pending pdl debits. However, you have a week before these guys hit your account again. Go to the bank. Speak only to the branch manager, not a teller (learned this the hard way), and go to the branch that you opened the account at. Tell them you need to close your account due to fraudulent activity (you have illegal companies debiting your account). Do not back down with them. I've dealt with them. If they can not promise you that your account will not be forced back open (which is a total mess), then have them put a HARD DEBIT BLOCK on your account. Nothing will go through. Nothing. You will need to go to a new bank, open a new account, so that you will have a working bank account. With a HARD DEBIT BLOCK on your account, no checks, no ACH debits, no ATM machine, you will have nothing. Deposits can go in, but nothing will go out. First thing first, get to the bank. Get the account under control so that you will gain control of your money once again. Once you have your bank account to the point to where no one can debit it any longer, you can move forward. But the first step is getting this done ASAP. Like now. Your storefronts - are you unable to check the CFSA site? Or are you saying you don't show any of them as being members? Which is it? You need to deal with your storefronts before your internets (provided your internets do not have access to your account any longer). Your storefronts will be operating legally. You need to contact each one. Find out of they are members of the CFSA. If they are, take advantage of the EPP (paying off in 4 payments). If they are not, set up a payment plan. Be firm with them. They will try their hardest to get you to borrow money and rewrite. Do not do it. They will do one of the following - make payment arrangements with you, turn you over to collections, turn you over to an attorney (who is just collecting for them). The main thing is communication with them so you don't get into any trouble. Get the bank account straightened out now so you can put your mind to rest regarding these blood suckers from taking money illegally. Then focus on your storefronts. I'm being serious. Contact each one. Find out what you can do. Do not fall into the "borrow from a friend and pay us and rewrite" speech they are going to give you. Put the internets on the back burner for now. Be strong. It takes guts and determination to do this, but you can do it. I didn't think I could, but I did it. Done will all internets and storefronts. And, you are NOT the only one in this situation. Keep that in mind when dealing with all of this. The banks have heard it all. The storefronts make payment arrangments all the time. You are not the first and you will not be the last in this situation. Welcome to our community. You are not stupid. You got caught in a trap like the rest of us have. Please go to the bank and regain control of your money. Contact the storefronts and see what you can get arranged with them. We can help you will all of this.

Cash Express
Quick Cash
Advance America
Check Into Cash

I think these guys are members of the CFSA. I'm not positive. You may want to double check. If so, you can invoke the EPP only if you get there at least one day before your loans are due. You will sign an amendment to your loan documents and they will break down what you owe into four equal payments until they are payed off - no interest - no added fees.

Wow, this is more than I had hoped for! My next question is that I am worried I cannot switch my paycheck soon enough. It goes in on Thurs. night. Next is the paper checks I currently have out...only a very few, but the rest would be from disgruntled storefront pdls...ones who say they have to send the check through *first*....I have hinted around with a couple. I really cannot afford a bunch of checks going back to some of the merchants I deal with? Like my grocery store and gas station?

And oh...if I cannot get them to change my direct deposit to a paper check, then can I get my money out of the bank? I have looked into prepaid debit cards that allow direct deposit.

Hi egypt, some people here have told their employers they needed a paper check because they were victims of identify theft and did not want the check in the affected bank. Not sure if that would work in your case but you could also tell them there is fraudulent activity on your account. If you can close your account maybe you could work out a cash payment to the check holders ( grocery, gas ect) so that you dont have to hold the account open. I have heard the storefronts saying they had to put the check through blah, blah blah. If they are members of the CFSA they do not have to do that they have to set up the EPP for you ( 4 payments). Stand firm and get control of your bank account and set up the payments with the storefronts. You are definitely not stupid! You are strong and wonderful and you can do this!

egypt, if you can not get your paycheck redirected and can not get a paper check (I couldn't), then put a hard debit block on your account. This will allow only deposits to go through. You will then have to go into the bank to get money becuase you will not be able to use a debit card or write a check. When you talk to your bank, tell them what you still have out. I was able to place my account on deposit only status and I told them I still had this debit for $$ and chect #'s...and they allowed only those to be paid. Maybe this will be an option for you. As for getting your money out. I have seen posts where members have gone to the bank at 12:01 am and withdrew as much $$ as they could. The only bad thing about this is that some banks have a maximum daily withdrawl limit. Getting your money out will depend on the time frame of when you get paid vs. whne the pdl's debit. Timing is crucial. As guest said..be forceful and do not back down with the bank or the storefronts. You can do this.

And this activity is *fraudulent*? Somewhere in here, I have missed the why this is so? Because of the high fees these internet companies are charging? I got these loans over the last month when I thought my husband had a job, but he is still like part time...contributing about $350...every two weeks. Hopefully this will change soon.
I had resolve yesterday, but the thought of closing this account, telling my husband what I have done, and facing the storefronts has really overwhelmed me.

Sorry, for some reason I ws not logged in.

egypt, It is hard to face all of this and is overwhelming. However, if you do not take charge of the situation, more than likely, you will only get in deeper and deeper. It is a vicious cycle and the companies count on us to stay in it. I was soooooo scared when I took the first step to "stop my insanity" It took me a month to close my account and when I think of how much money I could have saved if I had "bit the bullet" sooner. Then came the next week when I got to keep my entire paycheck and pay bills that had been getting behind. It was such a great feeling. I had control over my paycheck for the first time in a year. The great thing about the people here is we will support you through this. we have been there and understand your apprehension and fear. So many of us have made it out or are close to making it out and we stay to help others learn their rights and break the cycle. Please hang in there.

My other question is once I close my account, how do I deal with the internet loans? I have read that you have to send letters and also be leary of them assigning a wage attachment? I do not recall reading that there would be one, but I did not read those contracts very carefully.
I cannot believe I was so stupid. Or Naive. I guess panic stricken and not thinking things through is more apt.

We had to file bankruptcy in 2000 and that is almost off our records...I really do not want to go through that again.

egypt, I sent you a pm (private message), if you look to the right, there is a box and at the top is CHat, below that it should say you have 1 new message, click on that and you will have the message I sent. When you close the account, the internet loans will not get paid. There is a letter (I will pm to you)that will help you with the internet companies. It is important you do not contact them before you close your account or they will debit your account for all the money you owe. With the internet companies, you will send the letter and in it will outline your payment plan. But we are getting ahead of ourselves. Concentrate on the storefronts first. Get them taken care of and we will jump into the internet.

That is why you want to take care of the storefronts and make payment arrangements. Do your best to keep them from going to collections, if they do, atleast you will pay them off. The internets are completely different.

Ok members....Egypt needs help and I have been out of the loop awhile...With TN state laws, the internet pdl only has to be licensed somewhere....do we know if any of these are licensed somewhere...



I am thingking BIG, United and LIttle loan shop are not. If I am wrong...Please correct me.

Some of them I have never heard of.

I KNOW BIG,AND USFASTCASH ARE NOT LEGAL.FROG SPEAKS OF BIG QUITE A BIT.USFASTCASH IS PART OF MTE.THOSE TWO I KNOW ARE NOT LEGAL.BIG IS IN THE U.K.
HOPE THAT HELPS.SOMEONE ELSE SHOULD HAVE INFO ON THE OTHERS. TAKE CARE.

I think United Cash is in the same company with US fast Cash...their internet site is almost identical.
And yes, thank you I need the help this morning.
I may be in the morgue with a tag on my toe after I talk to my husband?

COULD BE,MTE HAS DOZENS OF DBA'S.SOMEONE ELSE COULD CLARIFY THAT.

United cash loans is also part of MTe

Are they one's that I need to worry about a wage attachment from?

Well, I never got a wage assignment from anyone. but I did send wasge assignment revocation letters to all of the pdls tha i had. better to be safe than sorry.

The sound you now hear is my hitting myself in the head. Gosh...this is tough.

I promise you, it will get a whole lot easier. Just follow the advice you get here and do what you need to do. There is light at the end of the tunnel.

Thanks Kash, Egypt, I sent you two more pm's with information you will need and instructions. I know this is information overload...we all suffer it at the beginning. Just hang in there and post as you have questions.

I read them and answered you. Thanks you all for the advice and encouragement. For once in this mess, I do not feel like I am alone.

I am happy we could help. Cash Spot, if it is Thecashspot(dot)com, on their web site posted they are licensed and bonded in DE and they are as American Consumer Credit. Little Loan Shoppe is licensed in Utah...if it is Littleloanshoppe(dot)com and do you have more information on Capitol?

Capital Funding Express
Suite G12314
Reno NV 89502
Toll Free: (866) 505-4146
Toll Free Fax: (877)392-8257

Yes, it is www.the cashspot.com.....This is not good is it?
e-mail: [email]loans@capitalfundingexpress.com[/email]
Ahhh. The Little Loan shoppe has offered me the option of paying 10 payments of $90...$900 on a 300$ loan. I have already paid them $90.
But the other sound you hear is a sigh of relief as I just confessed to my husband and he is not being as mad as I thought and is being very supportive.
Next question and this is very important....another stupid me one...but if we close our account, can they track my SS# and have it taken out of the new account? My husband seems to think so, but I do not think they can come up with this information without a privacy issue with the new bank.
We are on our way to 5/3rd right now....so I need a quick answer.
We are thinking about opening the new account in our Farm name instead of just a personal account.

it is very rare for these pdls to hit new accounts. So do not let that worry you,And tell your hubby he is a good guy.

I think this is one of those moments when you realize you should have been straight from the get go? My husband is 61, and in addition to having employment issues he never expected, got thrown from a horse and broke five ribs on one side, and two on the other and punctured a lung. SO we now have a huge hospital bill to take care of as he was out of work with no insurance when it happened. He may not be a Robert Redford (The Horse Whisperer), but he is great with horses and this is the first he has gotten hurt.
(I am so relieved he is not mad)

Second hurdle...hooray! Just spoke with my HR and she says "No problem" Fill out the form over the weekend and no Direct Deposit on Fri. She also told me if *they* call she will tell them to contact me at home. She told me where to direct that assignment letter if it is an issue......
AND NO BIG SURPRISE....I am not the first employee of theirs that this has happened to, and she said "you won't be the last"....very supportive.
Gee I feel like crying.

egypt, I am so happy to hear the sighs of relief and to know you are getting support from where you need it most. As for the two internets we know are licensed, it is not the best thing that could have happened but atleast you know what you are up against. When you do make payment arrangements with these companies, do not give them your new account information. Work out an alternate payment method that has nothing to do with your account whether it be money gram, money order, prepaid visa. I also posted to your pm. Also, Capital Funding Express is also, Pay Day Cashlink. I have them and they are one I have yet to resolve and who also gave me a loan without my applying...I checked both companies in Nevada becuase that is where all their addresses are and so far no license.

O kay...the next hurdle is accomplished. We went to the bank and once again the customer service gal was very understanding. So I had no problem with the bank on closing my account or the freeze on any debits.
Now BIG SIGH:::::::on to the store fronts.

Oh....that was me again...I did not realize I was not logged in.

eqypt, you're doing great so far! It'll get easier as you go along. The hardest part is getting the ball rolling, which you have already done. With the bank working in your favor, you will have control over your money again. Your storefronts are your next priority. Have you found out who may/may not be a member of the CFSA so you can invoke the EPP with them? Even if they are not members, you can still try to make pmt arrangments with them. Some will surprise you and be willing to take pmts and hold your check. If they insist that they have to turn the check in first to have it returned before they can set up pmts, that's fine. The check will come back. Tell them up front that THE BANK closed your account. Some will say they still have to turn it in. One did with mine and the account was closed. I was scared to death. The check came back to them as account closed (oh well) and they then set up payments with me with no problem. Maybe it's just policy. Do not freak out. You will be okay. You're doing so well already. You may have a set back or two along the way, but come back here and post and everyone can help you. I see that roxyny is helping you with your internets. You can set them on the backburner until you get your legal storefronts worked out. The internets aren't going anywhere, believe me. They'll still be there. Now, the ones you need to find out if they are legal to lend in your state - anything MTE related will not be licensed - period. No where. There are a few others that may not be licensed to lend to you. As far as the Loan Shop telling you that you owe all that money on a $300 loan - hogwash. But, like I said, don't let the internets get you down yet. Work on the storefronts and get them straightened out. You'll be okay. If you run into problems with the storefronts, come back and post. Once you're on a roll with them being taken care of, we will all help you with the internets.

Thanks so much! I am on my way to work, so I am sure this will post as guest, but it is me.

Nope, it posted as "you"! :D Just let us know if you need any help. We're here.

Thanks for the storefront help guest. Egypt and I have been pming behind the scenes and I have been stressing the importance of dealing with the storefronts first. I have been trying to determine the licensing that way when Egypt is ready those can be dealt with. So far only two are licensed. Unfortunately Egypt is in TN and they are one of those states where the internet pdl has to be lisecnsed somehwere UGH!!

As for the internet loans (for your information for later after dealing with the storefronts first):

BIG - not licensed/legal anywhere in the US
USFASTCASH - not licensed/legal anywhere in the US
UNITED CASH - not licensed/legal anywhere in the US