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Check City payday loans review

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Check City Payday Loan
4.3
★★★★★
Finder score
Turnaround time
Same business day to 1 business days

Our verdict

Online and in-store loans from a transparent payday lender. But watch out for high fees.

Check City is a licensed payday lender that offers payday loans across 15 states. It’s more transparent about state protections for consumers than most payday lenders. But this means that fees, terms and loan amounts vary widely depending on where you live.

Consider another lender if you want to apply in person. Check City only has in-store locations in Utah, Nevada, Virginia and Colorado. Residents of other states can apply online. Read our full review.

Pros

  • Online and in-store pickup
  • Quick processing
  • Multiple services
  • Bad credit is OK
  • Responsible lender

In this guide

  • Our verdict
  • Details
    • Product details
  • Your reviews
  • Ask an expert

finder.com's rating: 4.3 / 5.0

★★★★★

Bottom line: Check City offers a variety of loans and money services to its clients. And while it has the same risks as any short-term loan, it's transparent policies may make it worth your time. Read our full review.

Details

Product details

Product Name Check City Payday Loan
Loan Term Varies by state
Loan Security Unsecured
Turnaround Time Same business day to 1 business days
Costs Varies by state
Requirements Active checking account, photo ID, steady income

Check City rates, fees and terms

Check City rates, fees and terms vary widely depending on where you live. Typically you have between seven and 31 days to repay your loan with a fee of around $15 to $20 per $100 borrowed.
But that’s not always the case. In a few states, terms run as long as five or six months, with interest instead of a flat fee.
Regardless of how much you borrow, this often translates into annual percentage rate (APR) of 150% to over 600%. In extreme cases, it can top 1,042.86%. You can check your rate on Check City’s website.

Is Check City legit?

Yes, Check City is a legitimate licensed payday lender in 15 states. In most states, it offers payday loans, though you can also find personal loans, installment loans and title loans in some states — in addition to other financial services.
It’s a member of the Utah Consumers Lending Association, a trade organization that sets standards for payday lenders. And it’s upfront about consumer protections that your state offers. To protection your information online, Check City uses McAfee and DigiCert to make sure its site is safe.

Pros and Cons

  • Displays state licenses on website
  • Same-day financing if you apply in a store
  • Upfront about state consumer protections
  • APRs top 1,042.86% in some cases
  • Only offers in-store financing in four states
  • No online loans in Virginia or Colorado

Compare alternatives to Check City

Here’s how Check City compares to other payday lenders and alternative short-term services.

1 - 0 of 0
Name Product Filter Values Loan amount Turnaround time Requirements
Chime SpotMe®
Not rated yet
Chime SpotMe®
Up to $200
Same day
Single qualifying $200 direct deposit into Chime checking account in the last 34 days.
Access fee-free overdrafts up to $200 when eligible. Plus get your paycheck up to 2 days early with direct deposit. See Chime terms and conditions.
Smart Advances
Not rated yet
Smart Advances
$100 to $20,000
As soon as one business day after loan closing
Have a regular income, 18+ years old, be a U.S. citizen with a valid SSN, have an open bank account, meet any additional requirements your lender may have
Smart Advances was designed to help you request the loan you need, for any reason.
EarnIn
Not rated yet
EarnIn
Get up to $100 per day or $750 per pay period.
1 to 2 business days, or in minutes with Lightning Speed.
Direct deposit sent to a checking account, a regular pay schedule, a fixed work location or an online timekeeping system at work
No mandatory fees, no interest, and no credit checks. Subject to EarnIn terms & conditions
Cleo
Not rated yet
Cleo
Up to $250
3 to 4 days standard transfer. Same day with $3.99 express fee.
Not stated
Automatically monitor your spending plus access cash advances up to $100 at a time.
Albert
Not rated yet
Albert
Up to $250
2–3 business days or instant for a fee
Checking account 2+ months old receiving direct deposit, 2+ months working for the same employer, positive account balance, most recent paycheck was on-time, funds still available in bank account 24 hours after most recent payday.
Get up to $250 overdraft protection if you sign up for Albert's banking app.
Brigit
Not rated yet
Brigit
Up to $250
1 to 3 business days or instant with a fee of $0.99 to $3.99, or a $9.99/mo. subscription with small fee, or free with $14.99/mo. subscription.
Bank account must have at least 60 days of activity, Balance must be above $0 and have an average minimum balance on pay day
Have up to $250 automatically deposited into your account — for a $9.99 membership fee.
LendYou Short-term Loans
Finder Rating: 2.5 / 5: ★★★★★
LendYou Short-term Loans
Up to $1,000 for payday loans and up to $5,000 for installment loans
1 business day
$1,000+ monthly income, direct deposit, US citizen or permanent resident, ages 18+
Get offers from potential lenders in minutes by filling out just one online form.
Fast5kLoans Short-term Loans Connection Service
Finder Rating: 3.5 / 5: ★★★★★
Fast5kLoans Short-term Loans Connection Service
$100 to $35,000
As soon as the next business day
Regular source of income, Verifiable bank account, US citizen, Ages 18+
Get connected with multiple lenders you might qualify with — even if you have bad credit.
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Check City reviews and complaints

BBB accreditedYes
BBB ratingA+
BBB customer reviews4.5 out of 5 stars, based on 27 customer reviews
BBB customer complaints14
Trustpilot score4.6 out of 5, based on 1,451 customer reviews
Customer reviews verified as of25 February 2021

Check City receives mostly positive reviews from borrowers. Many are pleased with the speed of their loans and the understanding customer service. But some report issues with the high cost of the loan and inaccuracies with its billing.

Am I eligible?

To qualify for a loan, you must meet these requirements:

  • Regular source of income
  • Open checking account
  • At least 18 years old
  • US citizen or permanent resident

You also must live in a state where Check City operates.

Where are Check City payday loans available?

Check City operates in 15 states — though it only has locations in four.

Search for your state:
StateIn-store or onlineLoans available
AlabamaOnlinePayday loans
AlaskaOnlinePayday loans
CaliforniaOnlinePayday loans
ColoradoIn-storeIn-store cash advances, installment loans
HawaiiOnlinePayday loans
IdahoOnlineInstallment loans
KansasOnlinePayday loans
MissouriOnlineInstallment loans
NevadaBothPayday loans, in-store cash advances, title loans
TexasOnlineInstallment loans
UtahBothPayday loans, in-store cash advances, title loans
VirginiaIn-storeInstallment loans, title loans
WashingtonOnlinePayday loans
WisconsinOnlineInstallment loans
WyomingOnlinePayday loans

Check City only has in-store locations in Utah, Virginia, Colorado and Nevada. And it doesn’t offer online loans in Virginia or Colorado.

What information do I need to apply?

You need the following information to apply for a Check City payday loan at a minimum.

  • Social Security number
  • Proof of income and employment
  • Bank account number and routing number

How do I apply?

Depending on your state of residence, you can apply for a payday loan by visiting a Check City location near you or on its website by following these steps:

  1. Click the Go to site link on this page or go to the Check City website and select Apply now to start Check City’s online application.
  2. Enter your full name, email address, date of birth and zip code. Click Continue.
  3. Enter information about your income, employment, bank account and identity.
  4. Read Check city’s application disclosures and create a password for your account. Click Submit your application.

Check City will review your application within minutes. If approved, your loan may be funded within one to two business days online — or the same day if you apply at a store.

Payment options

There are a number of ways to make payments on a Check City loan.

  • Funds can be drafted from your bank account
  • Check City can deposit the check you left as collateral
  • You can pay using cash or a debit card

Your loan agreement with Check City should state the due date and final amount you need to pay. And while you can renew your loan in some states, avoid it if possible. Otherwise, you may be charged multiple fees that can quickly make it more difficult to repay.
If you make a late payment or default, Check City may charge a late fee or a returned payment fee, depending on your state. It may also impact your credit, so if you aren’t able to repay your loan, contact Check City as soon as possible to discuss your options.

Other services offered by Check City

In addition to payday loans, Check City also provides access to these services at its branch locations:

  • Personal and business check cashing
  • Money orders and money transfers
  • Prepaid debit cards
  • Prepaid wireless
  • Gold buying
  • Tax preparation services
  • Bill pay services

See how Check City compares to other payday lenders and low-cost alternatives. Or, read about lenders like Check City.

Frequently asked questions

Answers to common questions about Check City loans.

Is Check City a direct lender?

Yes, Check City provides your loan funds directly to you in every state where it is licensed to operate, with the exception of Texas where Check City services your loan through an affiliated short-term loan provider.

Can I apply over the phone?

You can apply over the phone. Keep in mind you may need to fax documents to Check City in order to apply by this method.

Can I pay the loan amount ahead of time?

Yes, you can pay the loan off completely before the end of the term without incurring any penalties.

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Anna Finder

Editor

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Briana

January 01, 2019

Is it possible to apply online or over the phone?


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Charisse Finder

January 01, 2019

Hi Briana,


Thanks for reaching out to finder.


Yes, Check City offer loans over the phone for clients that apply online (via their website). However, please note that these loans won’t allow you to get your money until the next day. If you need to get cash on the same day, you will have to visit their store location and apply.


I hope this helps. Please feel free to message us if you have further questions.


Cheers,

Charisse


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Ty

July 13, 2017

Do y’all do installments loans


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Anndy Finder

July 13, 2017

Hi Ty,


Thanks for your question.


You may compare your options if you are looking for an installment loan.


Kindly review the eligibility criteria and the relevant terms and conditions of the loan before submitting your application.


Cheers,

Anndy


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