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Cash advance apps can lead to a cycle of debt

By James R. Hood of ConsumerAffairs
October 17, 2024

A new report says that cash advance apps, like Earnin and Dave, can be harmful to consumers. These apps let you borrow money quickly, but they often charge high fees and can lead to a cycle of debt.

Here's what the report found

  • Many people borrow repeatedly: Many people use these apps over and over again, which can make it hard to get out of debt.

  • People use multiple apps at once: This can make it even harder to manage finances and can lead to more debt.

  • More overdraft fees and payday loans: People who use these apps are more likely to also use other expensive financial products, like payday loans.

The bottom line

Cash advance apps may seem helpful, but they can be dangerous and lead to financial problems. It's important to be careful when using these apps and to consider other options if you need to borrow money.

Can lead to a cycle of debt

The report was prepared by theCenter for Responsible Lending (CRL) to show howthese loans harm consumers. The report features a dataset of transactions showing rates of reborrowing, loan stacking, and overdraft fees experienced by people borrowing from a cash advance app like Earnin or Dave -- or from a combination of these lenders.

By offering predatory credit with just a few taps on your cell phone, cash advance apps are a loan shark in your pocket. This report shows many cash advance app borrowers are trapped in a cycle of debt like that experienced by payday loan borrowers, said Candice Wang, senior researcher at CRL.

Cash advance app companies issue loans with triple-digit annual interest rates in nearly every corner of America even where those rates are illegally high inflicting financial pain on a growing number of consumers, she said.

Key findings

  1. Many cash advance app borrowers are trapped in a debt cycle and the heaviest users drive the business model. Repeat use of advances is common and high-frequency users accounted for 38% of users and 86% of advances. Many users borrowed from multiple apps simultaneously. Nearly half of all borrowers had used multiple companies in the same month.
  2. App use is associated with increased overdraft fees and payday loan use. For users with overdraft fees or payday loans, the majority saw the number of times they used these high-cost products increase after taking out an advance for the first time.
  3. Consumers across states are experiencing similar harms. The eighteen states we analyzed had similar patterns of repeat borrowing, overdraft use, and loan stacking.

Background

CRL received anonymized financial transactions data dating from January 2021 through June 2024 from a panel of low- to moderate-income consumers affiliated withSaverLife, a nonprofit dedicated to using technology to improve financial health.

CRL matched over 214,000 advances to nearly 6,000 unique users across twenty cash advance apps: direct-to-consumer lenders Albert Instant, Brigit, Cleo, Dave, Earnin, Empower, FloatMe, Klover, MoneyLion, and Varo Advance, as well as employer-integrated lenders Branch, DailyPay, One@Work (formerly Even), PayActiv, Rain, Tapcheck, Immediate, Instant Financial, Wagestream, and ZayZoon.



Photo Credit: Consumer Affairs News Department Images


Posted: 2024-10-17 16:49:19

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More News From This Category

Consumer News: Dollar General announces back-to-school sale

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 22:07:08 +0000

Over 70 items will be priced $1 or less

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs
July 11, 2025

  • Dollar Generals back-to-school sale is running through September 6.

  • There are opportunities for parents and teachers to save on all back-to-school essentials.

  • Both Dollar General and national brands will be part of the ongoing sale.


Dollar General is sharing the details of its back-to-school sale.

One of the biggest headlines out of the sale: over 70 back-to-school items will be priced at $1 or less.

"Dollar General stands ready to deliver on our commitment of everyday value to help families as they shop for back-to-school items, Steve OBrien, Dollar Generals vice president, division merchandise manager, said in a news release.

Whether youre a parent stocking up on supplies, a teacher preparing their classroom or a student getting ready for dorm living, we offer the essentials you need at prices that will help support a confident start to the school year.

Details of the sale

The back-to-school sale is running now through September 6, at Dollar Generals over 20,000 locations.

Heres what shoppers can expect from the ongoing sale:

  • 70+ back-to-school and stationery items priced at $1 or less, including essentials like folders, notebooks, and composition books

  • A selection of Crayola variety coloring packs for $2 and under

  • Fashionable and functional backpacks for just $5 each, available in several colors, patterns, and designs

  • Crayola crayons, Elmers glue sticks, notebooks, binders, and $1 deals on folders, pencils, and more

  • Dollar General is offering $5 off $25 every Saturday, with extra opportunities for $5 off $25 on planned weekdays in July.

  • Deals on lunchbox favorites:

    • Sales promotions on fruity snacks including Gushers, Fruit by the Foot, and Fruit Rollups two for $5 and select Dole products three for $6.

    • Special offers on family-favorite PB&J fixings, like Welchs Jelly & Peter Pan Peanut Butter, two for $5.

    • Crunchy treats including Cheez-Its three for $6 and Keebler items two for $6.

Savings for teachers

In addition to parents saving on supplies and back-to-school essentials, Dollar General is also offering deals for teachers.

Heres a look at how teachers can save ahead of the new school year:

  • The Dollar General Teacher Social Media Sweepstakes will award 20 educators with a $250 Dollar General gift card. The sweepstakes runs July 15 August 30 on Dollar Generals Instagram.

  • Verified teachers can receive 30% off select stationary through September 6.

To save even more, consumers can sign up for the Dollar General rewards program to get exclusive coupons and more opportunities to save.


Read More ...


Consumer News: FCC axes Net Neutrality rules, which weren't in effect anyway

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 22:07:08 +0000

The move is denounced as "political theater"

By James R. Hood of ConsumerAffairs
July 11, 2025
  • FCC removes Net Neutrality rules from its books, even though they were not in effect.
  • A federal appeals court, in a suit brought by telecom companies, had held the rules were improper.
  • The argument has gone back and forth since the Obama administration.

Net Neutrality is not a topic that brings crowds of demonstrators surging into the streets but it has important implications in a world that is driven largely by online communications.

The Obamaadministration's Federal Communications Commission (FCC) constructed a framework of rules and regulations intended to ensure that everyone had equal access to broadband. That made telecommunications companies responsible for providing service on just, reasonable and nondiscriminatory terms to users across the nation.

Those rules were repealed during Donald Trump's first term in office earlier this year and reinstated during President Biden's term. But earlier this year, a U.S. Court of Appeals ruled in a suit brought by major telecom companies that the ruleshad been wrongfully adopted and that broadband providers cannot be treated as utilities.

Telecoms aren't utilities?

The court determined thatbroadband is an "information service" not a "telecommunications service," meaning the FCC lacks the authority to impose net neutrality regulations under the Communications Act.

Today, theFederal Communications Commission issued an order announcing its decision to remove the agencys Net Neutrality rules. The agency neglected to provide advance notice or give the public an opportunity to comment.

The consumer group Free Press called the FCC's action "little more than political grandstanding."


"Its true that the rules in question were first stayed by the 6th Circuit and then struck down by that appellate court in a poorly reasoned opinion. So todays bookkeeping maneuver changes very little in reality," said Matt Wood, the group's vice president of policy and general counsel.

Rules protecting Net Neutrality have broad bipartisan public support; the issue generated record numbers of public comments during prior agency proceedings on these essential open-internet safeguards, Wood said.


"Theres no need to delete currently inoperative rules, much less to announce it in a summer Friday order. The only reason to do that is to score points with broadband monopolies and their lobbyists, whove fought against essential and popular safeguards for the past two decades straight," Wood said. "It also shows subservience to Elon Musks incredibly destructive government-by-chainsaw attitude which seems to have outlived Musk himself in some corners of the Trump administration."


Read More ...


Consumer News: New study explores how tracking your steps can improve your mental health

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 22:07:07 +0000

Just 1,000 extra steps per day is linked to a lower risk of depression

By Kristen Dalli of ConsumerAffairs
July 11, 2025

  • Findings from a recent study found that walking moreespecially aiming for around 7,000 steps per daywas linked to fewer depressive symptoms in adults.

  • Every extra 1,000 steps per day correlated with about a 9% lower risk of depression.

  • The effect was consistent across ages, sexes, and step-tracking methods, suggesting walking is a universally accessible mentalhealth tool.


Researchers from the University of CastillaLa Mancha (UCLM) teamed up with international colleagues to examine how daily walking relates to depression in adults.

The team pooled data from 33 observational studies involving around 96,000 participants, all tracked using wearable devices such as pedometers and accelerometers.

Their goal? To find out whether walking more each daymeasured objectivelycould be tied to lower rates of depressive symptoms and risk.

The study

The researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis:

  1. They searched multiple literature databases up to May 2024 and identified 33 studies (27 cross-sectional, 6 longitudinal) involving over 96,000 diverse adults.

  2. These studies tracked daily steps using reliable wearables and measured depression using clinical diagnoses or symptom questionnaires.

  3. Participants were grouped by step ranges (e.g.,

  4. They adjusted for variables like age and sex and checked the robustness of results.

The results

Ultimately, the results were promising. The study found that adults walking 5,0007,499 steps/day had significantly fewer depressive symptoms than those walking under 5,000 steps per day.

The more participants walked, the better their mental health. The study showed that walking 7,5009,999, and especially 10,000+ steps/day, showed even stronger links to lower depression-related symptoms.

Notably, hitting around 7,000 steps/day stood out, as it was linked to a marked reduction in future depression risk compared to fewer steps.

Its also important to note that with each additional 1,000 steps/day, depression risk dropped by roughly 9%.

What does it mean for you?

Walking is free, simple, and easy to integrate into daily life. This analysis suggests even light, regular stepsespecially around 7,000+ per daycan add up to real mentalhealth benefits.

It doesnt require gym time or intense workoutsjust consistent movement. Boosting your daily step count, even in shorter bursts, may help protect against depression.

Daily step counting could be an important strategy in the general population to promote physical activity and contribute to the prevention of depression, researcher Bruno Bizzozero Peroni wrote.

Based on the available evidence, we emphasize the need for further longitudinal studies to clarify the protective role of daily steps in preventing depression during adulthood. In the meantime, if you've read this far, stop reading and go for a brisk walk.


Read More ...


Consumer News: GM agrees to settle oil-consumption lawsuit in Oklahoma, other states pending

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 19:07:08 +0000

Owners of certain models could get payments of up to $500

By Truman Lewis of ConsumerAffairs
July 11, 2025

  • Owners of certain GM trucks and SUVs in Oklahoma could get $500 checks as part of a nearly $25 million class-action settlement.
  • The lawsuit claims some GM vehicles burn excessive oil, risking engine damage.

  • Eligible owners must act before the July 28 deadline to join the settlement.


Owners of specific General Motors vehicles in Oklahoma may soon receive hundreds of dollars as part of a class-action lawsuit settlement addressing excessive oil consumption in certain trucks and SUVs. Similar suits are pending in several other states.

The named plaintiff in the case isDurwin Hampton, a Poteau, Oklahoma resident who noticed troubling issues with his truck shortly after purchase.

At about 35,000 miles, I noticed that it was burning more oil than usual, Hampton said. It just kept getting worse as it got more miles on it.

The lawsuit alleged that GM marketed and sold the affected vehicles as safe and reliable without disclosing that they could consume an abnormally high amount of oil. Such issues, plaintiffs argue, result in low oil levels, poor engine lubrication, and potential engine damage.

Nearly $25 million settlement fund

As part of the settlement, General Motors has agreed to contribute nearly $25 million to a fund. Clay Barnett, one of the attorneys representing vehicle owners, said eligible individuals who join the lawsuit could each receive about $500.

Vehicles included in the settlement

Vehicles covered under the settlement include:

  • 2011-2014 Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban, and Tahoe

  • 2011-2014 GMC Sierra, Yukon, Yukon XL SUVs, and trucks equipped with Generation IV Vortec 5300 LC9 engines manufactured on or after February 10, 2011

Barnett estimates around 30,000 vehicles in Oklahoma could qualify. Half of these owners bought their vehicles from authorized GM dealers and should have received notice by mail. However, Barnett notes that approximately 15,000 owners who purchased their vehicles elsewhere may need to submit additional information to join the lawsuit.

How to check eligibility

Oklahoma residents who bought affected vehicles can visit oklahomagmenginelitigation.com to check eligibility and file claims. The deadline to join the settlement is July 28.

Despite agreeing to the settlement, General Motors denies any wrongdoing or liability related to the allegations. The company has not publicly commented on the lawsuits outcome.


Read More ...


Consumer News: Ford recalls more than 850,000 vehicles to fix fuel pump

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 19:07:08 +0000

A defect in the pump can cause the engine to stall

By Truman Lewis of ConsumerAffairs
July 11, 2025

Ford Motor Co. is recalling 850,318 vehicles across the United States to fix a potentially defective fuel pump that could cause engines to stall unexpectedly, raising the risk of a crash, federal regulators announced Thursday.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the problem involves low-pressure fuel pumps that may fail and reduce fuel flow from the tank to the engine, potentially leading to sudden loss of engine power while driving.

This recall is for certain 2021-2023 model year Ford Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, Ford F-150, Ford Mustang, Ford Bronco, Ford F-Series Super Duty, Lincoln Navigator and Ford Expedition, said Mike Levine, a spokesperson for Ford.

The defect may affect roughly 10% of the recalled vehicles, NHTSA estimates.

Before complete failure occurs, drivers might notice warning signs including:

  • Engine misfiring

  • Rough idling or running

  • Reduced engine power

  • Illumination of the check engine light

NHTSA disclosed that it has received six consumer complaints alleging power loss due to fuel pump failures in affected Ford vehicles.

Ford has not reported any crashes or injuries tied to the issue as of the recall announcement.

Owners of vehicles included in the recall are expected to receive notification letters from Ford with instructions for scheduling repairs. The automaker will replace the faulty fuel pumps free of charge.

For additional information, vehicle owners can visit the NHTSA recalls website or contact their local Ford or Lincoln dealership.


Read More ...


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