Cash Advance / Short-term Loans

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• What items are required to get a cash advance/short-term loan?

  • Valid driver's license or other state-issued photo ID
  • Proof of income or recent pay stub, or some other form showing Social Security number and take-home pay
  • Checkbook with your pre-printed checks^*
  • Most recent bank statement
  • Valid phone number and proof of street address

  
  

  Additional documentation may be necessary.

  *Starter checks may be permissible in some states.

  
  

  Cash advances should be used for short-term financial needs only, not as a long-term financial solution. Customers with credit difficulties should seek credit counseling. Always use cash advances responsibly.

• How much money can I get?

  The maximum amount available varies from state to state. Working within each state's laws, you may qualify for a particular advance amount based on your current income. You may not always be able to get as much money as you would like, but a cash advance/short-term loan should only be a part of your financial solution—the product wouldn’t be helpful if you could borrow more than you can repay.

• Is the amount based on my credit?

  Even if you have "bumps and bruises" on your credit, you are likely to qualify for one of our loans.

   

  While we do not use traditional credit bureau reports from Experian^®, TransUnion^® and Equifax^®, we do verify your information through third parties.

• Why should I get a cash advance/short-term loan?

  You might consider a short-term cash advance as a financial tool to use an alternative to bounced checks, late payments and tarnished credit ratings. They allow you to meet unexpected expenses or provide a short-term cash need between pay periods. Remember, they are not designed to be a long-term solution for managing your budget. Excessive use of cash advances may create financial hardships. For assistance with your personal finances:

   

  • Make a list of your monthly expenditures.
  • Determine your monthly basic needs.
  • Review your monthly "extra" expenditures.
  • Make saving a priority.
  • Check out our Helpful Hints for more tips on managing your money.

   

  Remember:

  • There may be a less expensive alternative to meet your needs.
  • Only borrow the amount you need and what you can comfortably repay by your next pay period.
  • When possible, pay off your cash advance on the payment due date.

  
  

  A short-term cash advance is not intended to meet long-term financial needs. The advance should only be used to meet immediate short-term cash needs. Renewing the cash advance, rather than paying the debt in full when due, will require the payment of additional charges.

• What are the fees?

  Fees and terms vary by state. Please click here to get information regarding your individual state's guidelines.

• Can I renew or rollover my advance?

  Some state laws allow rollovers, however, as an active member of the Community Financial Services Association, which is the governing body for an association that promotes responsible lending, Cash America and our family of companies limit rollovers to four or the state limit, whichever is less.

• What if I change my mind after getting a cash advance/short-term loan?

  As a member of the Community Financial Services Association, which is the governing body for an association that promotes responsible lending, we abide by a code of best practices. You may rescind the transaction at no cost by returning to the store no later than the end of the following business day, or longer if required by state law.

• What if I can’t repay my loan in full on its due date?

  Our collection practices follow all best practices set forth by the Community Financial Services Association and any specific federal or state requirements. One of these collection practices includes, where permitted by state law, offering you the opportunity to enter into an Extended Payment Plan which allows you to repay your advance over a longer period of time. Some states have specific state-mandated repayment plans or grace periods that we are required to offer to you. We will inform you if an extended payment plan or grace period is available to you when you notify us that you are concerned about repaying your loan in full on its due date or if you default on your loan and are contacted by our Collections Department.

  
  

  Whether you are repaying in full or through an Extended Payment Plan, if your check is deposited and is returned by your bank due to insufficient funds, you may be charged a returned check fee, as permitted by state law¹. You will be responsible for payment of your account in full, including any returned check charge, should that occur.

  
  

  We will work with you to pay your loan in full to the extent allowed by law, but, if necessary and appropriate, we may attempt to collect your debt through various collection methods, including, but not limited to, phone calls, letters, emails, and the use of third-party collection agencies.

   

  1. This fee is in addition to any return check fee charged by your bank.

• If my account is past due, will I face criminal prosecution?

  No. As a member of the Community Financial Services Association, we do not pursue criminal actions against you if your check is returned unpaid. If it becomes necessary and is appropriate, however, we may seek civil remedies to collect past due accounts.

• What if I am dissatisfied with my service?

  If you are a customer, you should refer to your customer agreement for the appropriate parties to contact in your state to file a complaint. In addition, if you have a complaint that cannot be resolved by our company, please contact the Community Financial Services Association, which is the governing body for an association that promotes responsible lending, at 1-888-572-9329 or via e-mail at cfsa@multistate.com. If you feel we have violated one of our best practices, you may file a written complaint with CFSA on CFSA’s website.

• Can active military personnel get a cash advance/short-term loan?

  No, based on Federal Law, most short-term products are not available to members of the military.

• Can I get a cash advance/short-term loan using my Social Security benefits?

  Yes, your loan would simply be due the day you receive your Social Security check the next month.