Check Into Cash: The Real Cost of Payday and Installment Loans

What Check Into Cash Offers

Check Into Cash is a state-licensed direct lender providing payday loans, installment loans, and title loans. You can borrow between $50 and $1,500, depending on state limits. The process is available both online and at more than 180 physical store locations, with same-day funding often possible. While the company does not state whether it checks your credit, there is no explicit mention of a ‘no credit check’ policy. Loan terms, fees, and eligibility can vary widely by state, and Check Into Cash is only available in one state as of now.

The Real Cost: How Much You’ll Pay

The cost of borrowing from Check Into Cash is extremely high. The APR ranges from 150% to 664%, and can be even higher for short-term payday loans. For a typical 14-day payday loan, the fee is $15–$30 per $100 borrowed, translating to an APR between 260.71% and 782.14%. Installment loans have lower APRs, but still well above 150%.

Here are real examples at the top end (664% APR over 12 months):

• Borrow $500: you repay $3,337 ($2,837 in interest)
• Borrow $1,000: you repay $6,674 ($5,674 in interest)
• Borrow $2,500: you repay $16,685 ($14,185 in interest)

Compared to alternatives like credit union payday alternative loans (often 28% APR or less), borrowing from Check Into Cash can cost you more than six times as much in interest and fees. Even some credit cards or personal loans for bad credit may be less expensive, though approval can be harder.

Who Should (and Should Not) Use Check Into Cash

Check Into Cash is marketed toward borrowers with poor or no credit who need money fast and may not qualify for traditional bank loans. If you have exhausted all other options and need cash immediately, you might consider this lender—but be prepared for extremely high costs that can quickly snowball into a cycle of debt.

If you have any alternative—such as borrowing from friends or family, negotiating a payment plan with a creditor, using a credit union loan, or seeking community assistance—those routes will almost certainly cost less. Anyone who can qualify for mainstream credit or who can wait for funds should look elsewhere.

Ratings and Reputation: Mixed Experiences

Check Into Cash holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (but is not BBB accredited) and has been in business since 1998—longer than many competitors. On Trustpilot, customers rate them 3.3 out of 5, based on 1,021 reviews. Positive feedback often cites fast, efficient service in emergencies. On the flip side, negative reviews focus on the “very high” APR, along with billing and collection issues. While some borrowers find the process convenient, the cost and aggressive collection practices are major points of contention.

Red Flags and Concerns

There are several concerns to be aware of before borrowing from Check Into Cash:

• Extremely high APRs: Well above 200%, which means you could pay back several times what you borrow.
• Regulatory actions: The company has faced various state enforcement actions over the years. While this is common in the payday lending industry, it suggests a history of compliance challenges.
• Complaints about billing and collections: Borrowers report issues with how payments are handled and how aggressively debts are collected.
• Lack of transparency: Key loan terms like late fees and whether payments are reported to credit bureaus are not clearly stated, making it hard to know the full impact on your finances or credit.

Given the combination of high costs and past regulatory scrutiny, you should proceed with caution.

The Bottom Line: Pros and Cons

Check Into Cash gives quick access to payday, installment, and title loans, and is one of the oldest state-licensed lenders in the industry. For borrowers with no other options, the fast funding and simple application may be appealing. But the staggering APRs—reaching up to 664%—mean the real cost of borrowing is often several times the original loan amount. Add in mixed customer reviews, a history of regulatory actions, and unclear disclosure on credit reporting and fees, and the risks quickly outweigh the benefits for most people. If you can qualify for a credit union loan, installment loan from an online lender with lower APRs, or paycheck advance apps, those alternatives will almost always be safer and far less expensive.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much will I pay in interest on a $1,000 loan from Check Into Cash?

At the highest APR (664%), if you borrow $1,000 and pay it back over 12 months, you’ll repay $6,674—meaning $5,674 is just interest. This doesn’t include any possible late or NSF fees.

Does Check Into Cash check your credit or report to credit bureaus?

Check Into Cash does not clearly state whether it checks your credit during application or reports payments to credit bureaus. This lack of transparency makes it difficult to know if borrowing will impact your credit score.

Has Check Into Cash faced any regulatory actions?

Yes, Check Into Cash has faced various state enforcement actions over the years. These are not unusual in the payday lending industry, but they indicate past issues with compliance and should be a concern for borrowers.