You might be looking for ways to borrow a little extra money. Payday loans are common for those needing fast cash, but buyer beware.
Payday loans are still legal in places like Los Angeles, CA but their triple digit APR’s will burn holes right through your pockets. What you thought was a quick fix, might end up being a revolving door of extra fees and interest. Read on to find out how you can avoid high interest payday loans.
How To Get a Cash Advance in Los Angeles
Not all cash advances are created equal and you should keep that in mind when shopping around. Most payday lenders don’t require credit checks nor do they require proof that you have the means to pay back the amount you borrow. Which is why payday loans are known to have predatory tactics.
Listen, we’ve all hit those financial bumps in the road. The good news is there’s alternative options like Instacash from MoneyLion. Similar to most payday loans in that there’s no credit pull required. Unlike payday loans, Instacash has no interest or fees!
Instacash
Max Advance Amount: $250
APR: 0%
Credit Affects: None
Contrary to payday loans, Instacash is a small advance on income you’ve yet to receive, but you already worked for. This feature from MoneyLion is free to use and you can link a RoarMoney or any external bank account.
First, link your checking account to your RoarMoney account or external account. MoneyLion then securely reviews your banking history to ensure it meets a few qualifications criteria. Keep in mind, your chances of a higher cash advance amount increases when you link your direct deposit to your RoarMoney account.
You’ll find out within seconds how much you’re going to receive. On your next payday, the amount you borrow will be deducted from your account with zero interest.
Need your money now? Opt for turbo delivery and pay a small fee to get your money instantly!
How to Qualify:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Active linked bank account
- Steady Income or deposits
- A bank account that has been open for 60 days or more
- Your bank account must have a positive balance
In-Person Lender
Max Payday Loan Amount: $300
APR: Up to 460%
Credit Affects: Yes, your credit could be negatively impacted. Typically, payday lenders don’t pull credit, but they’ll report you to the credit bureaus immediately if you’re late or miss a payment.
In California payday loans are also known as deferred deposit transactions. Be on the lookout for fraudulent lenders who claim to be licensed. You can verify licenses for lenders here state by state.
Although regulations on payday loans have been tightened up throughout Los Angeles and California, lenders could be operating out of state and charge you higher interest rates. They could illegally collect money directly from your bank account without your permission, even when you don’t have the means to pay back the loan.
How to Qualify:
- Must be 18
- Valid government issued ID
- Must reside in California
- Proof of steady stream or source of income
- Active checking account; using prepaid debit cards and prepaid checks vary by location
- Account open for at least one month
- Social Security number (if applying online)
- Active phone number
- Must not be active in a bankruptcy case or presently intend to file for bankruptcy
- Must not be a member (or dependent) of any branch of the U.S military (including coast guard and national guard) currently serving active duty under orders more than 30 days, or a member of the reserves on active duty.
Instant Loan Options in Los Angeles
If a few hundred dollars doesn’t cut it in case of an emergency, a loan might be a better option. Let’s take a look at another affordable option to get more cash in your pocket.
Credit Builder Loan
Loan Amount: Qualify up to $1,000
Credit Affects: Yes, the average Credit Builder Loan user can boost their credit score by 60 points in 60 days! This is why making on-time payments is important, negative marks could bring your credit down drastically.
A Credit Builder Loan from MoneyLion is the ideal loan for anyone who’s struggling to borrow with little to no credit. We use your primary bank account history to determine eligibility without pulling your credit. Upon approval, your loan terms are set over 12 months making your payments affordable and predictable.
You’ll have access to same-day money and the rest of your loan funds are held in a reserve account. After you’ve paid the loan back in full, your reserve account funds are released to you. This extra step encourages healthy borrowing habits and helps you boost your credit faster!
How to Qualify:
- Must be 18 years of age
- U.S citizen or permanent resident of the U.S
- Have a Social Security number
- A form of payment either by bank account, credit card, or prepaid debit card
- No credit check or credit history necessary to apply!
What’s Included?
- Loan up $1,000 with instant approval
- Weekly credit updates
- Credit improvement up to 60 points in 60 days
- Exclusive Instacash benefits
- 12-month loan term with affordable payments
- Credit Reserve Account that holds some of your funds and earns interest while you pay off your loan.
Comparing Your Cash Advance Loan Options in Los Angeles CA
Choosing the right cash advance or loan can be tricky. As seen below, putting your lender options side by side with their offer details will help you narrow down your decision.
| Instacash | Credit Builder Loan | In-Person Payday Lender | |
| How Much Can You Borrow? | $250 | $1,000 | $300 |
| Fees & Interest | Free 0% APR | Competitive APR $19.99/month fee | Up to 460% APR Fee |
| Impacts Your Credit? | No | Yes, it builds your credit score. | Yes, derogatory payments could impact your score. Although on-time payments will not improve your score |
| Availability | – Mobile Device – Apply any time | – Mobile Device – Apply any time | Online & In-Person |
| Wait Time | Instantly* | Instantly | Same Day or Next Day |
| Next Steps | Sign Up | Sign Up | Find A Lender |
Safe Alternatives to Payday Loans in Los Angeles CA with MoneyLion
Although payday loans have built a reputation around getting cash quickly, they aren’t the safest contender. Alternatives like Instacash and Credit Builder Loans from MoneyLion offer instant and low-cost lending without the hefty interest and fees.
Wishing your paycheck would come sooner? MoneyLion account holders can get paid up to 2 days early. Simply link your direct deposits to your RoarMoney account and fast forward to payday!
