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Need help with payday loan debt?

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Payday loan help and free debt advice

If you’re struggling with debt problems, payday loans aren’t the answer. They’re a short term type of loan and will usually have a significant amount of interest.

Payday loans are short-term, high interest loans intended to be used for small purchases until your next payday. They’re usually for between £50 and £1,000 and are intended to be taken for a few weeks.

If you can’t afford the repayment things can get out of hand. Fail to repay and you’ll owe the outstanding balance of the loan plus interest and any fees or charges from the lender. If you're considering a payday loan, think carefully about  whether you can afford it and look at your alternatives.

Interest rates on payday loans are usually very high. Repaying money at high interest rates is a main cause of payday loan debt.

Payday loans are not a debt solution and can make your financial situation worse. Watch our video to find out more about these high-interest loans.

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Is a payday loan right for me?

It depends on your situation, but there’s a likelihood that a payday loan isn’t a good idea. It’s important to make sure you think things through before taking one out. You should consider:

  • Why do I need a payday loan?
  • Are there other sources of finance available with lower interest rates?
  • Can I afford to repay the debt on time?

If you're thinking about taking out a payday loan, find out how much it might cost you by using our payday loan calculator.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go to jail for not paying back a payday loan?

There’s no need to worry about being imprisoned for payday loan debt.

It’s rare to go to prison for any type of debt and it’s not a reality for any consumer credit, such as payday loans.

There are only a few debt types where non-payment can lead to imprisonment, such as criminal fines. In England, you can go to prison for not paying council tax arrears, though this is rare.

Read our guide to prison and debt.

What happens if I can't pay my payday loans?

If you can’t afford the repayment, things can get out of hand quickly. If you fail to repay, you’ll owe:

  • the outstanding balance of the loan,
  • interest on the loan, and,
  • and any fees or charges

question mark iconIf you're considering a payday loan, think carefully about whether you can afford the full cost of the repayments. Look at alternatives to payday loans before committing yourself.

Your lender should have checked that you could afford the payments when you took out the loan. If you don’t think they did this properly, you could make a complaint. This could mean that interest and charges are reduced or written off.

If you don’t pay, the lender will contact you and they may use a debt collection agency to try to recover the money you owe.

It’s important to understand that debt collectors acting on behalf of payday lenders have no special powers. Find out more about what your creditors can and can’t do.

If you’re worried about an unpaid payday loan or any other unmanageable debts, get in touch with us for free and confidential debt advice.


Can a payday loan company take me to court?

Yes, they can raise a county court judgment (CCJ) or decree against you if you don’t repay what you owe.