Payday loans are primarily regulated by state laws, although some federal laws do apply. For instance, by federal law all credit must post the APR to consumers before the application is completed.

In most states, cash advance lenders cannot garnish your wages. But they can collect outstanding payments through a variety of means. A better option is to work with your lender to create an alternative payment schedule to help you get out of debt.

What Payday Loan Lenders Can Do

When you get your cash advance, you also give the payday lender permission to withdraw your loan amount plus finance fee on your next payday. Even though it may be debited from your account, it is seen as a check.

If you bounce your check with the lender, they will charge you fees as well as your bank. What a lender will do after that depends on your state laws.

In some states, such as Virginia, you can be taken to court and billed for the loan and lawyer fees. However, in states like Washington, you can