Responsible Lending

Our Lending Principles

Short-term credit is a useful tool and a poor lifestyle. Every part of how we lend follows from that belief:

• We underwrite for ability to repay. A loan you cannot afford helps no one — we decline applications the budget cannot support.
• Every cost in writing, before you sign. Rate or fee, payment schedule, and total repayment — disclosed in full, per the Truth in Lending Act.
• No prepayment penalty, ever. Paying early should save you money, and with us it always does.
• We discourage rollovers. Repeatedly extending short-term debt is the most expensive pattern in consumer lending. If repayment is a struggle, we would rather work out a schedule than re-lend.

When a Short-Term Loan Makes Sense — and When It Does Not

It makes sense for a one-time, unexpected expense — a car repair, a medical bill, an urgent trip — when you have steady income and a clear plan to repay.

It does not for recurring bills, ongoing budget gaps, or paying off other debt. If money runs short every month, another loan deepens the hole; the resources below are the better first call.

Before You Borrow: Lower-Cost Options to Check First

• A payment plan from the biller. Hospitals, utilities, mechanics, and landlords negotiate more often than people expect — asking is free.
• Credit union Payday Alternative Loans (PALs). Small loans with federally capped rates, designed exactly for these situations.
• An advance from your employer or earned-wage access, if your workplace offers it.
• Local assistance programs. Dial 211 or visit 211.org for help with rent, utilities, food, and medical bills.
• Family or friends — with the amount and repayment date written down, so the loan does not cost a relationship.

Borrowing Safely: A Five-Point Checklist

• Borrow the smallest amount that actually solves the problem.
• Know your total repayment figure — not just the payment or the rate — before you sign.
• Match payments to your pay dates, and leave room for regular bills.
• Plan to pay early if you can; it always reduces your cost with us.
• Never borrow from a lender who guarantees approval or asks for fees upfront — both are scam signatures.

If You Are Struggling to Repay

Contact us before the payment date — early communication opens options that a missed payment closes. Depending on your state and situation, we may be able to adjust your schedule or set up a workout arrangement. What we will never recommend: taking a new loan to repay this one.

Warning Signs of Problem Debt

• Borrowing to cover regular monthly bills rather than one-time surprises.
• Taking a new loan to repay an old one, or extending the same loan repeatedly.
• Skipping essentials — food, medicine, utilities — to make loan payments.
• Not knowing your total outstanding debt without looking it up.

If two or more of these sound familiar, free help exists and it works:

Free, Legitimate Help

• Nonprofit credit counseling: find an accredited agency at nfcc.org — budgeting help and debt-management plans, free or low-cost.
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: plain-English guides and a complaint system at consumerfinance.gov.
• Local assistance: 211.org connects you to programs in your area.
• Active-duty military: the Military Lending Act caps your rates at 36% MAPR; military aid societies and on-base financial counseling offer alternatives built for you.

Questions about this page? Contact us at [email protected], call (800) 555-0142, or write to Cash Store App, LLC, 111 Commerce Way, Suite 210, Austin, TX 78701.