Payday Lending: Federal Law Enforcement Uses a MultiLayered Approach to Identify Employees in Financial Distress

In the U.S., payday lending (PL) is a $40 billion a year industry. A PL is a small-dollar loan -- from $100 to $500 and re-payable in about two weeks. Consumers can pay fees of $15-20 for every $100 borrowed. In 2006 the DoD reported on predatory lending, incl. PL, and found that these loans impacted military readiness and troop morale. Concerns were raised about PL to federal employees in law enforcement and national security positions at four components. This report examined: (1) how these federal law enforcement agencies become aware of employees who are potential security risks due to financial problems, including PL; and (2) various alternatives to PL. Charts and tables. This is a print on demand edition of an important, hard-to-find report.