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Cash Advance in Jacksonville, FL
Amscot is a Florida-based payday and installment loan lender offering cash advances up to $500 and installment loans up to $1,000 with no credit checks and same-day funding.
Data compiled from public sources · Rating from CreditDoc methodology
Cash Advance Review
Amscot Financial has operated as Florida's largest payday loan provider since 1989, operating exclusively within Florida under the state's consumer protection framework. The company positions itself as "The Money Superstore®" with a network of physical locations including the Jacksonville Collins Road branch. The business model centers on providing rapid access to small-dollar loans for consumers facing immediate cash needs without requiring traditional credit evaluation.
Amscot's core offerings include Cash Advances (payday loans) up to $500 and Installment Cash Advances ranging from $100 to $1,000, both approved and funded the same day without credit checks. Beyond lending, Amscot provides ancillary financial services including check cashing, free money orders, bill payment, wire transfers, notary services, copies, stamps, and ATM access. The Jacksonville location operates Monday-Friday 7AM-8PM, Saturday 8AM-8PM, and Sunday 9AM-6PM, with company-wide 365-day availability and numerous 24-hour locations across Florida.
Amscot differentiates itself through regulatory compliance and consumer protection messaging. The company is licensed by the Florida Office of Financial Regulation (OFR) and operates under state and federal payday loan laws described as "some of the strictest consumer-protection laws in the United States." The company is a member of INFiN and adheres to its "Best Practices" standards. Notably, Amscot cannot serve active military members, their spouses, or dependents under the Military Lending Act. Customer screening involves checking the Florida State database for existing outstanding advances rather than traditional credit bureaus.
However, this is a payday lender with inherent structural concerns. While advertised as "no credit checks," approval still requires meeting unstated qualification criteria, and non-payment impacts future borrowing access through the state database. The loan amounts ($500 max for payday loans) and implied rapid repayment structure target financially vulnerable consumers. Marketing emphasizes speed and convenience over affordability or alternative solutions. Amscot's business model generates revenue from repeat borrowing cycles characteristic of the payday lending industry, creating potential debt traps despite regulatory oversight.
Services & Features
ATM access
Cash Advances (payday loans) up to $500
Check cashing
Copy services
Electronic bill payment
Fax services
Florida State database screening for existing advances
Free money orders
Installment Cash Advances (installment loans) $100-$1,000
Notary services
Stamp sales
Wire transfers
Feature Checklist
Mobile App
Online Portal
Score Tracking
Credit Education
Personal Advisor
Identity Theft Protection
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Licensed by Florida Office of Financial Regulation (OFR) and operating under state payday loan regulations
- Same-day cash funding available; customers walk out with cash in minutes
- No credit checks required for approval; non-payment does not damage credit scores
- Extensive service menu including check cashing, money orders, bill payment, wire transfers, and notary services
- 365-day availability with many 24-hour locations across Florida for convenience
- Member of INFiN and adheres to industry "Best Practices" standards
- Long operational history (since 1989) with established presence serving millions of Floridians
Cons
- Payday loan structure creates debt trap potential through high-fee rollover cycles and repeat borrowing dependency
- Loan amounts are small ($500 max for payday loans) and insufficient for substantial financial needs
- Non-payment blocks access to future Amscot loans and impacts ability to borrow from other creditors using Florida State database
- APR and fee structure not disclosed on website; typical payday loans carry extremely high annual interest rates (300%+ APR)
- Serves only Florida; cannot be accessed by active military members, their spouses, or dependents under federal law
Rating Breakdown
Value 5.0
Effectiveness 3.0
Customer Service 3.7
Transparency 3.5
Ease of Use 3.9
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cash Advance legitimate?
Yes. Cash Advance is a registered company, headquartered in 5100-5398 Batley Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32210.
Quick Facts
- Headquarters
- 5100-5398 Batley Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32210
- BBB Accredited
- No
- Starting Price
- Contact provider
- Setup Fee
- None
- Money-Back Guarantee
- No
CreditDoc Diagnosis
Doctor's Verdict on Cash Advance
Amscot is best for Florida residents experiencing genuine short-term cash emergencies who have exhausted other options and can repay within their next paycheck cycle. The critical caveat: payday loans carry exceptionally high implicit costs through APR and fee structures not disclosed on the website, and the business model depends on repeat borrowing cycles that can trap consumers in debt. This should be a last resort, not a primary financial tool.
CFPB Transparency Report
Public data from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- Issues Resolved
- 99.8%
- Timely Responses
- 97.3%
Source: consumerfinance.gov | Last checked 2026-04-15
Best For
- Florida residents facing unexpected short-term cash emergencies (car repair, medical bills) with next paycheck income
- Consumers with damaged credit who cannot qualify for traditional bank loans or credit cards
- Individuals needing quick access to small amounts of cash ($100-$500) with immediate same-day funding capability
Updated 2026-04-29
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Financial Wellness Guides
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Read guide →Financial Terms Explained (10 terms)
New to credit and lending? Here are the key terms used on this page, explained in plain language with real-number examples.
Interest & Rates
APR — Annual Percentage Rate
The total yearly cost of borrowing money, including the interest rate plus any fees the lender charges. Think of it as the 'true price tag' on a loan.
Why it matters
Lenders must show APR by law (Truth in Lending Act) because the interest rate alone can hide fees. Comparing APR across lenders is the most reliable way to find the cheapest loan.
Example
You borrow $10,000 at 6% interest for 3 years, but there's a $300 origination fee. The interest rate is 6%, but the APR is 6.9% because it includes that fee. You'd pay $304/month and $946 total in interest.
Compound Interest
Interest calculated on both the original amount borrowed AND the interest that's already been added. It's 'interest on interest' — and it makes debt grow faster than you'd expect.
Why it matters
Credit cards and many loans use compound interest. If you only make minimum payments, compound interest is why a $3,000 balance can take 15 years to pay off.
Example
You owe $1,000 at 20% annual interest compounded monthly. After month 1 you owe $1,016.67. Month 2, interest is charged on $1,016.67 (not $1,000), so you owe $1,033.61. After 1 year without payments: $1,219.
MAPR — Military Annual Percentage Rate
A special APR calculation used for military servicemembers that includes ALL costs — fees, insurance, and add-ons — capped at 36% by federal law.
Why it matters
The Military Lending Act protects active-duty servicemembers and their families from predatory lending. Any lender charging above 36% MAPR to military is breaking federal law.
Example
A payday lender charges a $15 fee per $100 borrowed for 2 weeks. For civilians, that's technically legal in some states. For military: that works out to 391% MAPR — illegal under the MLA.
Usury Rate — Usury Rate (Interest Rate Cap)
The maximum interest rate a lender can legally charge in a particular state. Charging above this rate is called 'usury' and is illegal.
Why it matters
Usury laws are your main legal protection against predatory interest rates. But beware: some states have weak or no usury caps, and federal banks can sometimes override state limits.
Example
New York caps interest at 16% for most consumer loans (25% is criminal usury). If a lender tries to charge you 30% in NY, that loan is unenforceable — you could fight it in court.
How Loans Work
Collateral — Loan Collateral
An asset you pledge to the lender as security for a loan. If you stop paying, the lender can seize and sell that asset to recover their money.
Why it matters
Secured loans (with collateral) have lower interest rates because the lender has less risk. But you could lose your home, car, or savings if you default.
Example
A mortgage uses your house as collateral. A car loan uses your vehicle. A title loan uses your car title. If you miss payments, the lender can foreclose or repossess.
Fees & Costs
Late Fee — Late Payment Fee
A charge added to your account when you miss a payment deadline. Most credit cards charge $29-$41 per late payment, and many loans have similar penalties.
Why it matters
The fee itself hurts, but the real damage is to your credit score. A payment 30+ days late stays on your credit report for 7 years and can drop your score 60-110 points.
Example
Your credit card payment of $150 is due March 1. You pay on March 18. The bank charges a $39 late fee. If it's 30+ days late, it gets reported to credit bureaus and your 760 score drops to 670.
NSF Fee — Non-Sufficient Funds Fee
A fee your bank charges when a payment bounces because there isn't enough money in your account. Also called a 'bounced check fee' or 'returned payment fee.'
Why it matters
NSF fees hit you twice — your bank charges you AND the company you were trying to pay may charge their own returned payment fee. That's $50-70 for one missed payment.
Example
Your auto-pay tries to pull $350 for rent, but you only have $280 in checking. Your bank charges $35 NSF fee. Your landlord charges $25 returned payment fee. Total damage: $60 in fees.
Legal Terms
Usury — Usury (Illegal Interest)
The practice of charging interest rates higher than what the law allows. Usury laws set state-specific caps on how much lenders can charge.
Why it matters
If a lender charges usurious rates, the loan may be void, penalties can be reduced, or you may be entitled to damages. Know your state's limits.
Example
Your state caps consumer loans at 24% APR. An online lender charges you 36%. That loan may be unenforceable, and you might only need to repay the principal — no interest or fees.
Credit Cards
Cash Advance — Credit Card Cash Advance
Using your credit card to get cash from an ATM or bank. It's one of the most expensive ways to borrow — higher interest rate, immediate interest accrual (no grace period), and an upfront fee.
Why it matters
Cash advances are a debt trap: 25-30% APR with no grace period plus a 3-5% fee. Interest starts the second you withdraw, not at the end of the billing cycle.
Example
You take a $500 cash advance. Fee: $25 (5%). Interest: 28% APR starting immediately. After 30 days, you owe $536.67. After 6 months of minimum payments, you've paid $85 in interest on $500.
Want to learn more? Read our Financial Wellness Guides for in-depth explanations and practical advice.
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