Georgia Consumer Protections: Georgia bans payday lending and treats violations as felony racketeering, providing among the strongest anti-payday protections in the country. Licensed installment lenders are regulated by the Department of Banking and Finance. Consumers can file complaints through the Governor's Office of Consumer Protection.
Interest Rate Cap: Georgia usury cap: 5% simple interest (7% contract rate); payday lending banned under industrial loan act repeal.
Payday lending is banned in this state.
Key Regulations: - Payday lending is banned; Georgia repealed the industrial loan act that authorized small loans.
- The Georgia Industrial Loan Act criminalizes payday-style lending as a felony racketeering offense.
- Licensed installment lenders can charge tiered rates up to 60% for smallest loans.
- Georgia Fair Lending Act regulates high-cost home loans.
Federal protections: The FCRA gives you the right to dispute inaccurate credit report information for free. Credit repair companies cannot charge before performing services (Credit Repair Organizations Act).
Free resources: Get a free credit report annually at AnnualCreditReport.com.
File complaints with Georgia Attorney General Consumer Protection Division.