I am going to put a stop payment on each of the loans

Be careful - Stop payments will usually only work for a very short time. Most pdl's will then do things to get around them.

Laura...most internet pdls do not use collection agencies...and I am in Indiana too...and they made a mess of my bank account.some ipdls will just turn and use a different amount or name to debit..I did file complaints with AG office here and they are mediating on my behalf which has had some good results. If you would like any other help please list you pdls, let us know which are internet, etc...how much the loan was originaly for and how much you paid..not necessarily the fee's just what you paid.

Laura, the others are right- be carefull!! They will adjust the payment by a couple of pennies or something just so it will go through, so watch them..Karen

Stopping payment on just "one name" of a pdl isn't a real good idea. We have pdl's that use up to 20 different d/b/a's. If they're debiting under one name and it gets blocked, they'll just change to another name and dollar amount and debit again.

Laura - your best bet here is to close your bank account and open another. Go to your bank, sit down with the branch manager or the person who handles accounts, swallow your pride and tell them exactly what is going on - that you are trying to regain control of your money from the PDL's so you can pay them off and get back on track financially. They will be able to see from your account history that these companies are trying to bleed you dry, and most banks are very good about working with you in this situation. The only catch is that if your account is overdrawn, some banks will not allow you to close it until you bring it to a zero balance...which will end up allowing the PDL's to hit you yet again.

I'd definitely go talk to the bank right away and see what can be done.

Please read this thread:

http://www.debtconsolidationcare.com/paydayloan/close-account.html

About information you should know before you close your bank account.

Get new account at a totally different bank. If you stay at the same bank but open a different account they could attack that account. Be on the safe side and go to another totally different bank. Do not ever give out your new bank account information and do not apply for anymore PDL's. I have a feeling that these PDL's all share the same banking info on their customers.

ladybug

I did go to my bank and I can not close the account at this time. I have direct deposites made and if I close my account these checks will be returned and it will take me at least two weeks to get my money. Other factors play in to this and make it very hard to just close my account. The one thing I do need is someone or some company that will help me deal with these payday loan people. Is there anyone or any agency that can set up a program and take some of the pressure off of me?

Laura,
A while back i got an email from these people who offered to help me get my PDL under control for $100. The deal was that I would pay them once they got the first PDL off of my bank account. I sent them a list of my PDL and all of the info about them and they did it. Ha! I don't know what they did, but I never heard another word from any of the PDL's again. It's just some guy and his wife. There names are Gray and Anita Williams. I think they're lawyers or something. They knew a lot about the laws. He said they are not. The email is email address removed per forum rules - Goudah. You could try them. It worked for me. Kathy

Too Funny! I got that email too. I think one of my PDLs sold my name to them(like a fool.)They worked wonders. All 3 of my PDLs sent me a "Confidentiality Agreement" to sign and that was it. Once I signed that, my debts to them were considered paid.

I am a bit wary of any individuals that buy lists from pdl's and send out solicitation emails to help with pdl's. Plus, you do realize that you are giving out your social security number, address, bank account info, and all that stuff to strangers that solicited you on the net. Hmmm . . . . And they don't even seem to have a business name. Just a guy and his wife. Sounds like a good scam to me!

I also find it odd that these two people both just happen to post about how great they are and how well it worked within 7 seconds of each other. As far as I know these people have never been mentioned before. So why if these people totally cleared up these two guests pdl messes are they still looking at this board? I understand wanting to help, but they are guests that have not posted before. So it all seems a bit strange to me . . . .

Advertisement? Scam?

Hmm....I wondered about this too...If this process is so good how come everyone isn't doing it? Besides I am not sending 100 dollars to anyone without evidence that they are legit! Thanks..

Like Goudah said, be very wary of anyone soliciting you through e-mail. Once you send them money, or give them all your personal info- they can run with that. Anyone solicing you to help you is a red light. Most reputable companies don't buy lists and start trying to get customers. Like I always said, check whatever company out with the BBB, and others who know they are reputable..Karen

Yeah, problem with this seems to be that it isn't even a company! There would be no way to even check them out!

Is there anyone that can help with payday loans. It would be nice to have some backup when these people start harrassing me. I did try that Langhorne agency of lawyers. But since my loan amounts do not total over 1000 dollars they refused to help. Does anyone know of anyone else?

You can work on them on your own. We can help you.

If you would list some info we can give you better advice.

Please list:

What state you are in?

Are these storefronts or internet loans?

What companies?

How much did you borrow from each company?

How much have you paid back so far in fees to each company?

I have 5 loans...all internet...Upfront Payday borrowed 350 I have paid on the principal twice so it is now 250 however my total payments are 475 dollars.
Cash Advance.net...loan..200 paid none on principal paid a total of 244. They charge an additional dollar for each transaction. Zipcash borrowed 100 paid 150. Cash Link USA borrowed 100 paid 90...and The Loan Shop..borrowed 100 paid 120. That is it...I have not had any contact from any of them yet but they will be debiting my account tomorrow (8/17/07) and Monday (8/20/07). I can do most of this by myself however it would be nice to have another agency or maybe legal firm to back me up...but I can find none that will deal with these people.

What state are you in?

I live in Indiana..

Internet loan companies must be licensed in Indiana to lend legally. Go to your state's dept of financial institutions website and see if any of the companies you are dealing with are licensed. They probably aren't . . . .

You will also want to close your bank account. Please read this thread about some important information you need to know before you close your account.

http://www.debtconsolidationcare.com/paydayloan/close-account.html

I can not close my bank account. I have too many debits for my current bills. Also I have direct deposites from my paychecks and annuity payment from the govenment..it would take a month to re-direct them to a new account.

laura, I'm posting your Indiana state law for you to see. If you've tried Langhorne and they can't help you, you can check into T&C. I don't know if they can help, but you can do a "google search" on this site and read up about them. You can fight these on your own, or you can use a company to deal with them for you. It's your decision. Just go ahead and read up on T&C and see what you find out. Meanwhile, here are your state pdl laws (just select your state). And, morningstarr, one of our members, is also in Indiana. I'm sure she can give you some insight. She'll be along. :D

http://www.debtconsolidationcare.com/paydayloan/explain-pdls-laws.html

laura, if you can not close your bank account because other debits are coming out, the pdl's are going to continue to hit your account. You can send them letters revoking their privilidge of debiting; however, they usually do not abide by your request. If you have to keep your account the way it is, you will probably need to type the letters to your pdl's and then take copies to your bank. This way, you can dispute the pdl debits when they go through. Show them the letters, tell them these are unauthorized debits by illegal companies, and dispute every one of them. I can't promise the bank will cooperate or that they won't add their bank fees on your account. Banks are all different.

Thank-you...I will use that information...also I contacted Langhorne but they refused me because I don't have loans over 1000 dollars.

I will contact my bank branch manager in the morning and find out what can be done. I did put the stop payments in on Monday and added all the information I could about each of the pdls that would be debiting my account. I was told that anything related to these companies would not be put through my account if I could get to the accounting department within 48 hours.

Try T&C if you want to go with a company . . . They consolidate debt. They are great especially if you have other debt too.

I can not find any info on T&C??? Are they a debt consolidation group? A legal firm? Or what..please explain...thanks.

A debt consolidation company. Do a search on this site and you will find a bunch more information.

I have tried to get in touch with this Town & Country acceptance...somehow I am not getting through. So I decided to write letters to the 4 pdls the one I can't find any listing for so I don't have an address...should I send a cease & desist letter now...even though they have not got in touch with me? Please advise...

Which one can't you find an address for?

I would send out the letters now. It won't hurt. It doesn't matter if they haven't contacted you yet, because they will soon enough.

Yes...I will thanks...also I did get in touch with T&C and they are sending me paperwork...however the program will cost $210 to start. I'll have to think about that..because I really don't have the money at this time...

I can not come up with the money for T&C at this time..it will be about Sept.14th before I can send it to them to get the plan started. What do I do in the meantime...one of my payday loans have already been sent to a collection agency????

laura, is your bank still blocking the debits? Don't worry about the "collection agency" letter. Did you send all your pdl's letters revoking their debit authorization? What have you done so far? The most important thing at this moment is knowing that they can not debit your account.

yes..I get on-line everyday and see if there is a new debit..I call them and they take it off as soon as it posts to my account. I did send the letters also..I have only had a problem with UpFront Payday.."Angela" informed me that they would continue debting my account..which didn't surprize me. She would not acknowledge that they got the letter I sent.

Okay, so you've sent your letters out revoking everything, blah, blah. Your bank account is rejecting the debits. What is it you want to do now? Are you wanting to send another letter to the pdl's?

I really don't know..I guess if they call just tell them why my debt counselor haven't got in touch with them yet??? Any other advice...thank-you..

laura, do you have email addresses for your pdl's? You can email them stating that you are working with a company regarding their loan and that they will be contacting them shortly. If possible, try not to talk to these pdl's on the phone. There's no reason to put yourself through that stress. They'll just harrass you do death, so why bother. If you have email addresses, send them an email stating what I said. If they call & you unfortunately do get stuck on the phone with them, tell them what I stated and hang up. They can wait. Believe me, they're not going anywhere. Just as long as they can't debit your account any longer - they can wait to hear from T&C. And, don't put yourself through the aggrevation of a telephone call with them if you can avoid it.

Sounds like good advice to me. I am not good on the phone but I can write. I am sure they will wait..eventually they will get something..I am tired and I am so sorry I got into this mess. Believe me this is a lesson for the learning...nevermore. Thanks

laura, don't worry. I'm like you. I'm way better at writing than getting on the phone! That's why I suggested sending them an email telling them they will be contacted shortly. End of story for them. LOL! Don't be "sorry" about your mess. We're all in this mess! And, yes, it's a lesson learned. But, I'll tell you what, laura, I've learned so much in these last few months than I ever thought possible. I know all kinds of things that I was unaware of before. It's amazing. So, actually something good will come out of our "mess". Even if it's only the knowledge we've gained. Or the friends we've met on this site. Or maybe helping someone who is also in the same situation. Or talking someone out of getting a pdl if they're considering it. By the time it's over and done, you're going to be a well educated helping kind of woman! LOL! So, we'll get through it and chaulk the whole nightmare up as a "learning experience." :D

Yes..it seems as if you think (at the time) that this is the worse situation you could be in. But I have been in worse..and I am sure I will learn something from this experience...I have learned alot already.

laura, if you need anything or run into any problems, just post. We're here and we're on your side. :wink:

I have been reading about Westbury Ventures..(aka The Loan Shop)they seem to have quite a history including
charges brought against them in California. I have a 100 dollar loan with them and I have received a letter..I immediately sent a cease and desist letter also a letter stating I am working with a debt consolidation company...I hope they do not start harassing me...any suggestions?

in some cases as with mine you can put a deposits
only on your account that way no matter what, they
can't touch your hard earned $'s. check it out.

it may depend on the bank.

laura, Westbury Ventures is notorious for calling and threatening people. If you can avoid their calls at all, please do that. If you, unfortunately, get stuck on the phone with them, tell them you are dealing with T&C and they will contact them shortly, and hang up the phone. They may call 20 more times. Try not to take them. If you have to, just state the fact one more time, and hang up again. I'm sorry to tell you that. But they most likely will call you and tell you some crazy stuff. Do not take thier threats seriously. You know you're okay. Do not let them scare you. I know you'll freak. If you do, get back here and post, and we can help you out. But, if at all possible, I would try to avoid any telephone contact with them at all.

laura, you're welcome for any help! :D We're just glad to be here to help you! If you have any problems dealing with the bozos, please post. We can get you through it. And, of course, ask ANY questions! I'm sure we can find the answer! We're here for you and backing you up 100%! :D

I just don't know where to go with this.... I logged-on to my bank account Friday (8/24) and saw where Westbury Ventures had tried to debit my account for 160 dollars. I contacted the bank immediately and told them there was a stop payment and that if they looked it also had the name "The Loan Shop" on the debit. So they promised to return the debit. This morning (8/27) I checked my bank account and they had charged me 2 NSF fees...one for the 160 and another for a check of $150 dollars for a bill I had paid..both were being returned for NSF. I called again and spoke with Mindy who is in charge of accounting and she assured me the 160 would be returned and my 150 would go through as I requested. I know this is going to be a big headache! But it is really hard to close my account...I will have to speak to a bank rep and maybe get all ACH's and drafts blocked. I hope I can keep it to my written checks and deposites only.

FYI - Once you block ACH's the ipdl's will send through paper checks for your account. The only way to totally block them would be to do a hard hold or debit block. Either way you would not be able to continue writing checks on the account.

I know that now I spoke with the accounts manager at my bank and they said everything had to be posted to my account..after it posts then it can be returned and also NSF fees have to be posted before they can be removed. In this world where everything is so fast...some parts of the banking business is still slow. However it does not take them long to "post" their fees...

Laura, I know it is intimadating to have to close your account, but it is the only way to be safe. Open an account in a different bank. It was hard for me to do , as I had my account in the same bank for 15 years.I need to be safe from all of this. I closed it and opened a new account in a new bank. No one knows my account number.

I'm sure I will have to do that eventually...I have a couple of days off this week and I may look around and see what other banking facilities are available. I am still working with a lady at my bank she is checking on some things for me and will get back to me. Then I will see what I can do to block out these pdls.