Appearing in The New York Times on October 6, 2026, Ann Carrns talks to NCLC Senior Attorney Lauren Saunders about a recent report from the Center for Responsible Lending finding that while payday loan apps advertise no-cost options, most users end up paying high fees.
The report estimated that nationally, 96 percent of advances to workers using direct-to-consumer versions of the apps included fees or “tips,” costing borrowers more than $200 a year, or about $17 a month, on average.
“People are struggling, and it’s hard to make it paycheck to paycheck.”
Lauren Saunders, senior attorney at the National Consumer Law Center.
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