Only use them if you're desperate
I went through marriage separation and struggling with my kids. I needed $8000 loan to pay apartment fees and start everything from scratch which required a collateral vehicle and $300 monthly payment approx 4years ago.... Expect to pay minimum $17,000 by the end of loan IF you pay $300 every 30 days to MAYBE getting $15 allocated to principle with each $300 payment. My financial situation has changed this year so I've been paying $600-$1000 every 1-2 weeks since June just to get it down to $2300 and every payment has approximately$50 interest even though im paying those amounts waaaay ahead of loan agreement...plus the knowledge I had initial start of loan hardship ONE month deferred to end of loan which adds nearly $500 to payoff. Predatory is not a strong enough word. Financial sharks confusing desperate people is how their payment calculation is set up. You need an accountant or lawyer to explain it all. Make SURE if you have Ramen noodles and roof over your head that you never use them.