If a payment is going to be difficult, tell us before the due date. That single piece of timing changes what we can do, and it is free. After a payment has failed we are working around a returned payment fee, a possible bank charge and, past 30 days, a late mark on your credit report. Before it fails, none of that has happened.
What we can do
| Option | What it means | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Move the due date | Shift the payment to line up with when you are actually paid | Free, small interest change |
| Split a payment | Two smaller debits across the month instead of one | Free |
| Extended payment plan | On payday loans, where your state requires it, the balance is spread over several payments | No extra charge |
| Temporary payment reduction | Smaller payments for an agreed period, with the term extended | More total interest |
| Settlement discussion | For accounts already seriously behind | Case by case |
Which options are available depends on your state, your product and where the account stands. We will tell you what each choice costs before you agree to anything.
What happens if a payment is missed
- Day of. A returned payment fee of up to $25 may apply, and your bank may charge you separately.
- Within 30 days. A late fee may apply where your state and agreement permit. Nothing is reported to the credit bureaus yet, which is why this window still matters.
- At 30 days. The payment can be reported as late on installment and personal loans.
- Past 60 days. The account may be placed with a licensed collection agency.
We do not pursue criminal charges for non-payment, we do not threaten to, and we do not renew or roll over payday loans to cover a missed payment.
Your rights
Debt collection is governed by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Collectors may not call at unreasonable hours, use abusive language, misrepresent the debt or threaten action they cannot take. If you believe those rules have been broken, whether by us or by an agency acting for us, file a complaint and contact the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or your state attorney general.
Free help beyond us
- Non-profit credit counselling. A free session through the National Foundation for Credit Counseling reviews your whole position, not just this loan.
- 211. Local assistance with rent, energy and food, which frees up the money you were going to use here.
- Legal aid. Free advice on debt and collection issues for income-qualifying households.
If borrowing has become a monthly pattern rather than a one-off, those routes address the level of the problem. We would rather tell you that than lend you the next one.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if I cannot make my loan payment?
Call before the due date. Depending on your state and product we can move the date, split the payment, set up an extended payment plan at no extra charge, or agree a temporary reduction. After a payment fails, a returned payment fee and possible bank charge are already in play.
When is a missed payment reported to credit bureaus?
Typically once it is 30 days past due, on installment and personal loans. Inside that window nothing has been reported yet, which is why acting early matters.
Will you threaten legal action if I fall behind?
No. We do not pursue criminal charges for non-payment and do not threaten to. Debt collection is governed by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, which prohibits threats of action a collector cannot take.
Is there free help available?
Yes. Non-profit credit counselling through the National Foundation for Credit Counseling is free, 211 connects you to local rent and energy assistance, and legal aid offices advise on debt issues for income-qualifying households.
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