Arizona Payday Lenders Move to Auto Title Loans; Loophole Allows High ... Scams & Fraud

Payday Lenders Morphing Into Auto Title Lenders

Loophole allows interest rates up to 204 percent

Griffith believed a stake had been driven into the heart of what she considered a predatory monster. But it popped out. Beginning in 2008, when the clock started winding down on payday lending in Arizona, Griffith's Tucson-based group, the watched as more than 200 payday loan businesses obtained licenses as auto title lenders. Some of the same storefronts that had advertised "Payday Loans" now have prominent signs for "Car Title Loans." Arizona laws allow up to a 204 percent annual interest rate if a vehicle is involved as security. Lee Miller, a spokesman for the Arizona Community Financial Services Association, a trade group whose members include the former payday lenders, said the auto lending products are the "low-cost payday alternative. They [lenders] are not focusing on the collateral of the loan. They are saying: 'Come see us for a loan — we now offer loans that are 50 percent cheaper than a payday loan,' which is absolutely true." And they're still many times higher than the rates charged by traditional lenders. Miller contends you can't operate a storefront lending business if interest rates are capped at 36 percent. "Nearly all offer some variation of the auto title loan product, but they are also experimenting with other consumer loans, check cashing and prepaid debit cards." He estimates auto title lending may be 60 percent of some lenders' business. In traditional auto title loans, which have been around for decades, the lender assumes title of a car for the life of the loan. But some auto loans offered by former payday lenders don't require the borrower to surrender the title as collateral. Even if someone has a bank loan on a car, they may still be able to get a car title loan. , D-Phoenix, who led the legislative effort to kill payday loans, said she believes that if lenders aren't actually holding a title, it's a signature loan and they should only be allowed to charge up to 36 percent a year. "We are in new territory," McCune Davis said. "We have asked the Attorney General's Office to take a look at this practice, and we are waiting for some guidance as to where these loans fall. Are they really auto title loans?" The senator wants consumers to know that if they have a loan that involves their vehicle, but the lender isn't the title holder, the car cannot be taken to satisfy the loan. Miller expects further efforts to close the auto title loophole to be made in the coming sessions. "The folks who campaigned against payday loans will continue to campaign against auto title loans. They sincerely believe that morally, legally, ethically, the maximum Americans should pay for loans is 36 percent annually," he said. Ritch Steven, advocacy network chair, said AARP supports closing the loophole. "You can't have products out there that are designed to ensnare and entrap individuals. No one should be allowed to operate outside that 36 percent usury law." The Attorney General's Office and the have vowed to crack down on businesses that violate the state's lending laws and encourage consumers to report questionable behavior by lenders. The has set up a toll-free line for consumers at 1-866-879-5219, or they can e-mail . The Financial Institutions Department is scrutinizing applicants for auto title lending licenses to make sure they are what they claim. So far none have been rejected. The Attorney General's Office also recommends reading the repayment terms and (602-771-2800). Maureen West is a freelance writer based in Phoenix. Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures

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