What’s your experience with short-term or payday loans?

Introduction

In continuation of our investigative series, Debt Deception, iWatch reporter Ben Hallman is interested in learning more about “payday” lenders — firms who give small, short-term loans intended to cover a borrower’s expenses until his or her next payday.

In 2009, Americans borrowed an estimated $42 billion in short-term payday loans. These loans, issued by specialty lenders and check cashing operations along with some traditional banks and credit unions, often come with high fees and interest rates.

If you’ve ever applied for such cash advances, we’d like to hear more about your experience. Your insights will help guide our reporting for a new story.

What do you know about payday loans? Help our reporters by telling us your experience.

Interested in learning more about the Public Insight Network? Read about how you can assist award-winning investigative journalists by sharing your expertise.