Illegal
Payday Loans
The New
York State Banking Department and the State Consumer Protection
Board are urging New Yorkers to report banks and other companies
offering so-called "payday" loans that often bear illegally-high
interest rates and fees.
The New York State Banking Department recently issued an advisory
letter stating that banks and companies that offer payday loans
in New York State may be in violation of the New York State Banking
Law and the New York State Penal Code.
Typically,
these loans are offered by out of state banks and companies that
are not regulated by the Banking Department. However, as noted in
the advisory letter, the Banking Department recently contacted an
out of state company that had been offering payday loans in New
York State and the company agreed to immediately cease taking applications
in New York.
Payday
loan companies make advances to individuals against their next paycheck.
In return for the advance, the company typically charges a "fee"
or interest. For example, for a fee of $35, a payday loan company
might agree to make the borrower a two-week advance of $120.
In order
to obtain the loan, the borrower would agree to write the company
a check for $155 that the lender agrees to hold until the borrower's
next payday. If the borrower does not have funds to cover the check,
the payday loan company usually agrees to renew the loan, thereby
resulting in additional fees for the borrower.
Banking
Superintendent Elizabeth McCaul said, "Payday lenders typically
charge high fees for their services. This type of loan is abusive
and the lenders are preying on vulnerable consumers. We will continue
to do all within our power to prevent such loans from being made
in New York State."
State
Consumer Protection Board Chairwoman Debra Martinez said, "Theres
no denying that people will, at times, need an immediate short-term
loan. But there are laws in New York to protect people against exorbitant
interest charges. Gov. Pataki has charged us and other state agencies
with a clear mandate to protect consumers in every way possible."
New Yorkers
are urged to contact the Banking Department at 1-800- 522-3330 or
the Consumer Protection Board at1-800-NYS-1220 if they encounter
an offer for a payday loan.
The New
York State Banking Department is the regulator for all State-chartered
banking institutions, including seven of the States ten largest
banks, and virtually all of the U.S. offices of international banking
institutions. The cumulative assets of companies and institutions
supervised by the Banking Department exceed $1.9 trillion.
The Consumer
Protection Board represents the interest of consumers throughout
New York by intervening in utility and telephone proceedings before
the state Public Service Commission (PSC); conducting investigations,
research and analysis of issues affecting consumers; developing
consumer education programs and materials; and responding to individual
consumer complaints through voluntary settlement of disputes, whenever
possible.
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