But it isn't an APR -- It's a fee. The Glossary of Political Economy Terms from Auburn University defines Interest rate as "The price(s) of obtaining the temporary use of money that one borrows from someone else who actually owns it, normally expressed as a percentage of the amount borrowed per year." A fee, on the other hand, is "a charge for services rendered".

Therefore, it is not an excessive APR because it's a fee. But here's another little tidbit. Collectors cannot take partial payment for advance check pay back because advance pay is not considered a loan. Advance check operations fall under non-sufficient fund (NSF) laws, which means they can demand the local district attorney's office to act as their collection agency.

No wonder these operations are flourishing. They have it all going for them!

On the other hand -- The Consumer Federation of America calls it legal loan sharking. Another Forum posting offered this information:

"The Consumer Federation of America describes them [Payday Loans] best: 'Payday loans are single-payment, short-term loans based on personal checks held for future deposit or on electronic access to personal checking accounts. In a typical transaction, a consumer writes a check for $117.65 to borrow $100 cash, with the total amount due by next payday or in up to 14 days. The $17.65 finance charge computes to a 459% annual percentage rate.' "And the very respected American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) had this to say:

"...Typically involve small amounts of money lent for a short period at very high interest rates. The customer -- usually a low-income individual who is excluded from mainstream lending sources.... Many borrowers end up renewing the loan over and over again because they cannot pay off the loan and still have insufficient funds to cover the check when the loan period ends. In the example above [charge $15 for a $100 loan for two weeks], they would pay another $15 each time they extended the loan, receiving no additional money in return. While the effective annual interest rate depends on the fee and how many times the borrower pays an additional fee to renew the loan, estimated annual percentage rates around the country range from 700% to 2,000%."    

Are there alternatives? -- FTC and Consumer Federation of America (among others) suggest some of these alternatives to Payday Loans:

Make a realistic budget, and figure your monthly and daily expenditures. Avoid unnecessary purchases - even small daily items. Build some savings - even small deposits can help - to avoid borrowing for emergencies, unexpected expenses or other items. Putting the amount of the fee that would be paid on a typical $300 payday loan in a savings account for six months can give you a buffer against financial emergencies. Find out if you have, or can get, overdraft protection on your checking account. If you are regularly using most or all of the funds in your account and if you make a mistake in your checking (or savings) account ledger or records, overdraft protection can help protect you from further credit problems. Find out the terms of overdraft protection. If you need help working out a debt repayment plan with creditors or developing a budget, contact your local consumer credit counseling service. There are non-profit groups in every state that offer credit guidance to consumers. These services are available at little or no cost. Also, check with your employer, credit union or housing authority for no- or low-cost credit counseling programs.