Payday loans in the Yukon

Payday loans are the most expensive form of short-term financing on the market, with fees as high as $60 per $100 borrowed in the Yukon. While these convenient and easy to get loans can help you make ends meet between paycheques, they are expensive and risky and should be avoided unless absolutely necessary.

We’ve designed this guide to help you navigate the ins and outs of cash advance payday loans in the Yukon, so that you have as much information as possible to make an informed decision before applying.

Can I get a payday loan in the Yukon?

Yes, payday loans are legal in the Yukon. While the provinces each have unique legislation surrounding payday loans, the three territories do not, and instead rely on federal laws. These federal laws regulate the maximum amount of money that can be issued by lenders in the Yukon, as well as how much they can charge per $100 borrowed.

Here are the federal regulations surrounding payday loans in the Yukon:

While you can legally be charged up to $60 in fees per $100 borrowed, you should know that some lenders will charge much lower fees (such as $25 in fees per $100 borrowed). This is why it’s important to shop around and compare different lenders in order to find the best loan for your needs.

What fees will I have to pay for a payday loan in the Yukon?

Yukon is governed by federal payday loan legislation, which allows lenders to charge up to $60 in fees for every $100 borrowed. The table below shows the fees on payday loans, compared to the typical costs of some common payday loan alternatives like a credit card cash advance and a line of credit.

Can I get a no credit check payday loan in Yukon?

Most lenders won’t do a credit check when issuing a payday loan. Instead, they’ll be more interested in you having:

• An active chequing account
• A permanent address (and proof of it)
• Three months of continuous employment (and proof of it)

This lenient criteria can be easy to meet – with the added bonus of not having to prove you’re a responsible borrower. However, some lenders who don’t do credit checks might be more likely to be predatory and illegitimate. This is why it’s important to do your research and use a reputable lender – whether they do a credit check or not.

What to keep in mind before applying for a Yukon payday loan?

Payday loans are largely unregulated in Yukon, which makes them a particularly risky kind of debt. Lenders are fairly unrestricted in terms of the fees and interest rates they can charge on loans, and there are also few rules in place to prevent predatory lending practices like roll-overs (which allow borrowers to use a second payday loan to pay off their current payday loan). Some payday lenders in the Yukon may choose to charge less for a loan, such as $25 in fees per $100 borrowed, so make sure you shop around for the best rate before you apply for a payday loan.

How can I tell if a payday loan lender in the Yukon is legit?

Lenders in the Yukon have very few licensing requirements, which means they have very few legally-mandated obligations to protect customers. Even so, above-board lenders may choose to abide by laws that are commonly enforced across Canada. Look for the following signs where possible to make sure you’re working with a reputable company.

• The lender follows federal payday loans legislation. Stay away from lenders who charge more than $60 in fees per $100 borrowed. Make sure to compare several lenders to find the best terms for your loan (and keep an eye out for hidden fees buried in the fine print).
• They provide same-language contracts. Any payday loan agreement you sign off on should be written in the language of your choice. Your contractual obligations – including charges, terms and conditions of the loan – should also be clearly written out.
• The lender doesn’t request access to your bank account. Avoid any lender that requests direct deposit or any other banking information that could put your financial assets at risk.

How to file a complaint against a Yukon payday loan lender

You can contact Consumer Protection at 867‑667‑5111 to file a complaint. Since there are very few regulations governing payday lenders in the Yukon, it can be difficult to prosecute those who are operating illegally or unethically. That being said, there’s no harm in reporting malpractice, particularly if the payday lender is charging more than $60 in fees per $100 borrowed.

Payday loan alternatives in the Yukon

Due to the high fees and restrictive terms, it pays to explore other short-term financing options before applying for a payday loan.

Yukon assistance programs

The Yukon has a number of programs that can provide some much-needed relief for residents and newcomers who are struggling to make ends meet.

• Yukon Social Assistance provides financial assistance for low-income individuals and families who need help with covering the costs of basic necessities like food, shelter and heating.
• Child benefit provides a monthly cash benefit to help low‑ and modest‑income families with the costs of raising children under 18 years of age.

Local financial institutions

If you don’t qualify for social assistance benefits, you might like to try your local credit union or bank for short-term loans. Some of these institutions are working to counteract payday loan providers by offering low-interest, short-term loan programs to help customers with unforeseen emergency expenses at a fraction of the cost.

Credit counselling

If you find yourself struggling to keep your head above water, then you might consider a credit counselling program like those on offer by the Credit Counselling Society of Yukon. These not-for-profit programs can provide free consultations to help you to manage or consolidate your debt and balance your budget.

Before you get a payday loan, consider alternatives available to you

How can I apply for a payday loan in the Yukon?

If you’re interested in applying for a payday loan in the Yukon, you’ll need to meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Be at least 19 years old
• Provide proof of at least 3 months of continuous employment
• Show proof of address (e.g., they can ask to see a utility bill)
• Have an active chequing account

To complete your application successfully, prepare to submit some basic information:

• Personal details, such as your name, date of birth, Social Insurance Number and a valid form of ID
• Contact details, such as your residential address, email address and phone number
• Details about your employment and income

Bottom line

If you’re looking for a quick and easy solution to deal with a short-term financial problem, then you might consider a payday loan. But while they’re convenient and quick to get, you’ll need to make sure you understand the risks and high costs. Make sure you’re in the position to pay off the loan in full by the due date – with fees as high as $60 tacked on to every $100 you borrow.

If you don’t think that you can pay back your loan on time, look into other alternative forms of financing such as a personal loan, line of credit or simply borrowing from family or friends.

Have more questions about payday loans in the Yukon?

• What is the maximum number of outstanding payday loans I can have in the Yukon?

  You can take out multiple payday loans, at a maximum of $1,500 per loan.

• Do payday loan laws in the Yukon permit roll-overs?

  Yes, roll-over loans are allowed in the Yukon, which means you can use a second payday loan to pay off your first one.

• Who can I contact if I have a complaint about my payday loan?

  You can file a complaint with Consumer Protection at 867‑667‑5111, who will act on your behalf to conduct an investigation into the payday loan business in question if they have done something illegal.

• Can I go to jail for not paying back an online payday loan?

  No, according to federal law in Canada, you can’t be arrested for unpaid debt. Plus, it’s illegal for a debt collector to threaten you with jail time. So if your lender attempts this, don’t feel threatened to comply. You may even be able to report the lender to Yukon’s Consumer Protection for illegal practices.

  To learn more about what can happen if you default on a payday loan, like whether or not a lender can sue you, read our full guide here.