store front payday help in ohio.

I completely understand. I'm going to post Ohio state pdl law for you. Unfortunately, it doesn't specify criminal action, so I am not sure what they can do to you if you default. It's an ugly vicious never ending cycle. I do understand. You're afraid to call the stores. Well, as much as I'm a chicken also, call them. Tell them a story. Tell them you lost your job. Tell them whatever and see if you can make payment arrangements. See what they can offer you. A phone call won't hurt, you're not "face to face", and they might actually try to work out something with you. You never know. And, I'm a chicken. I like writing better than talking! Also, try to contact your state DFI and find out what the criminal action is regarding defaulting on a store front pdl. You'll get correct information from them. Maybe it's not that bad. Like none unless it's fraud, etc. You may not be in "trouble" if you close your account, etc. I would call and check. Like I said, a phone call doesn't hurt. Here's your Ohio state pdl law:

Ohio State Information here http://www.debtconsolidationcare.com/paydayloan/explain-pdls-laws.html

thank you very much for that. i just called the number you gave and spoke to one of their legal people. she was unsure, but told me that closing the account would make me criminally liable, but that's only if they were to persue the charges. she said i'd have to contact my local prosecutor's office to see how severe of trouble i could be in if that were to happen.

the only reason i'm hesitant to call is because i called a few weeks ago just to ask them to hold the debts over for two more weeks. they gave me trouble doing that, i can't imagine how they'd react to asking if i could make payments.

i'm wondering if i sent a letter informing them that i'm unable to pay in full, while also sending a payment and a signed intent to pay, and warning them ahead of time that the account the checks are written on will be closed, if that would lessen my liability if criminal charges were persued.

are there any good ohio based counseling services that would work with them to make the arrangements for me? i fear getting bullied and them pressuring me into something i'm not comfortable with. i'd be more comfortable with a third party involved.

thank you though, that was extremely helpful.

I completely understand. The most I got out of a store front pdl was them holding it for another 30 days. Which did help. But they want their money. The letter idea is pretty darn good. You could try that and stress that you intend to pay this debt in full; however, you must make payments, etc. But, like the lady told you at the number you called, try calling the prosecutor's office and find out exactly what kind of criminal action can be taken. Find out if it's okay to close your bank account. Or what would happen if the funds are not in your account and the check gets turned in and returned as NSF. If you can't close your account, what happens if the funds are not there (take them out)? Ask these questions. At least they can tell you exactly the extent of what kind of action they can take against you. You might be able to close it out. Or you might be able to get away with them turning it in and just having it returned NSF. Call and ask. Let me know.

i called the prosecutor's office today. the leagal department really didn't know how to answer my question, so i take that as a sign that they generally don't press criminal charges.

they transferred me instead to the civil department and i talked to a lady who was incredibally helpful. she said she deals with pdl's all the time and that they don't hesitate to sue anybody. she told me the worst case scenario of what can happen, such as up to %500 interest and the garnishing of wages. but she assured me only one company at a time could garnish my wages.

at first when she was giving me details, it sounded like she was trying to talk me out of not paying them. but as we talked for a bit and she made the reference to me being 'the hamster in the wheel,' i told her that's how it's felt and that i just want to jump out of the wheel and i was just trying to see how much it'd hurt me when i landed. she advised me just to jump. she told me if i don't jump now, i end up in a worse situation down the road and that it'd turn out much worse for me to jump then.

she was very helpful, she even gave me some numbers of companies that may work with pdls. it's a little bit of a relief. i mean, i don't want to get sued by four places, but i guess that's better than having criminal charges pressed against me.

i'm still nervous to go through with everything, but i really don't have a choice.

FYI - There have been several Ohio users here that were taken to a bad check court in Ohio. I can't remember the name of it right now . . . . But it is possible for the storefront pdl's to file charges. I'm trying to find the post right now . . .

Here is the thread:

http://www.debtconsolidationcare.com/paydayloan/accepted-payments.html

gotcaught - I'm in a similar situation. I stopped payment on the checks and closed my checking account. As a matter of fact, I was advised to close my checking account by the OH Dept of Commerce - the office that regulates them. I shouldn't think that they would advise me to do something illegal. If they did, then I will be sure to mention that in court or mediation or whatever. But before I stopped the checks and closed the account, I called them before the checks were due to be cashed and told them I didn't have the money and asked for a re-payment plan to which they told me no. I made sure to document when I called them and the nature of the call nd then I stopped the checks. I followed that up with a letter again reiterating that I didn't have the money to pay the debt in full, that I intend to honor my debt but the only way I could afford to do so was by sending them payments and so I began sending $25 every payday ($50 a month). They barraged me with numerous phone calls daily so I just turned off my ringer. Gradually the number of calls has decreased. Express Payroll Advance has sent me back my first payment and CheckSmart informed me that they do not accept partial payments, however, I recently learned that they cashed my first money order payment. According to the DoC (and an attorney I work with) if they accept a partial payment, then legally they've entered into a payment agreement.

I STRONGLY encourage you to write a letter to the Governor, to the Attorney General and to your senator and representative and describe your trouble with pdls. I did that and recently got responses from the Gov and from AG Consumer Protection. The gov's letter said he was referring my matter to the Dept of Commerce and within a few days, I got a phone call from the DoC Legislative Director thanking me for my letter, that they are seeing numerous similar problems and that the Gov wants to do something about the pdl problem in Ohio. He also asked my opinions on how I thought these pdls should change their practices. I felt very good afterwards. My letter from AG Consumer Protection said that they will keep my letter on file in order to document trends in complaints against pdls so the more letters they get from us, the more documentation they will have against the pdls. Attached to the letter was a blank complaint form.

Today I filed complaints with AG Consumer Protection against two pdls (Express Payroll Advance and CheckSmart) and the company that owns them, Buckeye Check Cashing. Until yesterday, I was reluctant to do so because I felt that this was all my fault and that I brought all this on myself and I deserved it. Although technically, these pdls haven't done anything illegal, how they treat us is unethical and it just isn't right. Currently, Ohio's pdl laws are too lax and too broad and poorly defined (thanks to former Gov Taft and AG Jim Petro). Laws won't change unless we complain about them. I encourage you to file a complaint with the AG. I have a lot of faith in Gov Strickland and Attorney General Dann.

I used to be scared to death and sometimes I still get really nervous and stressed but now I'm to the point where I'm mad as hell and I'm tired of them treating me this way. They've pushed me too far and I'm fighting back. I hope you do too. Good luck and don't let them get the best of you!!!

b, thank you for that post. It's great when someone from the same state is in the same situation and can help another with their experience! :D
gotcaught, b's post is excellent. b contacted the correct agency, got an answer (and like stated, I also don't believe they would have told b to do something illegal), and b took action. Like b posted, if you do decide to take this route, document everything. I think the idea of calling and asking to make payments and being turned down is a good thing. You would have shown your attempt at getting this resolved, they would have shown that they were unwilling, etc. Document it. Then send a letter also, like b did stating the same thing again. Keep a copy. Like b said, even if you end up going to mediation or something, you will have some sort of documentation showing you tried desperately to work something out. At least you won't look like you did nothing but run and hide and not at least try to pay them back.

I am not sure what county you are from in Ohio, but in Franklin, Check N Go and Cashland allowed me to set up payment arraignments with them when my check came back NSF. National Cash Advance is a sister store for Advance America and they (Advance America) allowed me to do payments. This was 8 months ago when I set up payments though and I think they wanted them paid in full within one month. I did pay them in payments but I ended up having to get back in the web to pay other pdl's off. I can tell you Cashland and Check N Go sent me to collection agencies and my debt consolidation company has been paying them. But be careful of Cashland, as I have read someone was taken to court by them.

If you are looking for a company goggle Town and Country Acceptance in the upper right hand corner of this website. I am working with them and don't have any complaints about them. If you can work this out by yourself, I say do it. T&C will charge 10% of your total debt and it????????s not a guarantee any storefronts will not take you to small claim court. I can tell you though, I have not been brought up on any criminal charges when I closed my checking account.

ryan, thanks for posting that! I'm sure it'll be helpful. And knowing that you were not charged with some sort of criminal action for closing your bank account will be a big relief! I hate not knowing if criminal action is permitted and if so, what is it? I personally like the pdl laws that state criminal action is prohibited! :D

thanks ryan.

i actually called t&c friday and am working with them now. they seem like they'll be able to negotiate more acceptable payments for me. i don't mind them charging extra, because i'll still be paying less in the long run than if i didn't go through with them. i'm just hoping the companies are accepting and don't try to take me to court anyways.

sorry you had to get back in the web. this should be the last step i take toward getting away from them completely. these are some bridges i don't mind burning at all.

i am hoping t&c can take care of the four that i have, and i even added my cashcall balance into it hoping they can cut down my ridiculous interest through them too. i don't mind the company making some money off of me, because they're saving me far more than they're making.

gotcaugt, good for you! :D You're taking control and soon you will be pdl free! How exciting is that? I'm excited anyway! Please let us know how it goes for you! Soon you will be free!

I finally have it under control now once I signed up with Town and Country. I have no problems buring the bridges with the payday places, sure is a place I never want to step foot in.

Cannr
I asked my bank to close my account but was told I had a neg balance and they could not do it. I wished I knew about deposit only on my account. So, I am not sure if I got lucky since my account wasn't closed at the time. But the bank finally closed it and I opened a new checking account at a different bank.

Oh. I wonder if this will make a difference? Your account wasn't closed. It just had NSF. Well, how about if you had to close your bank account due to fraudulent charges? I mean, you'd think they couldn't press criminal charges if that were the matter. Actually, I'm not positive, but I would think closing your account would be okay. Just not RUN AWAY and disappear with "bad checks" out! But, you know, sometimes it's always best to make a phone call and ask. Or send an email and ask. I know it sounds stupid, but I sent an email to my DFI asking my idiotic questions and he didn't mind! :D