Payday Loan Laws in District of Columbia
Payday loans are small, short-term cash loans. Generally, consumers write a post-dated check
for the desired amount, in addition to an interest fee. The lender will hold onto the check
until the next payday (usually 14 days) and then deposits it. Consumers also have the option
to return with cash to reclaim the check. Or, in some cases, consumers can repay the loan
with a signed agreement which allows the lender to electronically withdraw the funds from
their bank account on a pre-determined date. Payday loans are regulated by state; therefore,
it's important to understand your state laws.
Payday loan laws in District of Columbia
October 3, 2007 the "Payday Loan Consumer Protection Amendment Act of 2007" was signed into
law to take effect immediately. The Act states that Payday Lending is no longer permitted
under the District's Check Cashers Act of 1998. As a result, parties offering payday loan
services were ordered to discontinue making new loans as of January 9, 2008. Licensed
lenders were allowed to continue servicing existing loans, but 'roll-overs' were prohibited.
Read The Act in its entirety.
Note:
District of Columbia residents are prohibited from obtaining payday loans. However,
MoneyNowUSA offers alternative loan options that cater
to a variety of financial situations.
Be cautious of online lending scams. Unfortunately, it's hard to know who to trust nowadays.
A legitimate online lender will have valid security certificates (SSL). The page that contains
the actual application should have a link to the security certificate. Another thing to look
for is a VeriSign secured site. This indicates who the owner of the website is. Check for
other links such as: BBB, McAfee/Norton, Truste and Thawte. If anything seems unclear, it's
always a good idea to call the company and ask questions.