Ameriquest Credit Network
Ameriquest Mortgage Company is a mortgage lender that faced significant regulatory enforcement action by California's DFPI in 2007.
Contact
BBB: NR
Cash Now California
California-licensed payday lender offering short-term cash advances up to $300 with no credit checks and instant funding to debit cards.
Editorially reviewed by Harvey Brooks
Cash Now California Review
Cash Now California is a licensed deferred deposit transaction (payday loan) lender operating in California under CDDTL #100-1805 from the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation. The company is physically located in Fremont, CA, and provides rapid short-term cash advances to consumers facing immediate financial gaps.
The company's core offering is payday-style loans ranging from $100 to $300, funded directly to customers' debit cards within the same business day or next business day. They advertise no credit checks, no early repayment penalties, and no hidden fees. The application process is entirely online and requires only a valid California ID, proof of 3+ months of steady income (direct deposit or Social Security), a checking account at a traditional bank, and a linked debit card.
Cash Now California distinguishes itself through transparent fee disclosure and emphasis on security. Their website explicitly displays APRs (460.08% for 14-day terms, 214.71% for 30-day terms) and fee schedules upfront, allowing customers to calculate exact costs before applying. They use secure bank verification software rather than credit checks, and highlight compliance with California's strict deferred deposit transaction regulations.
However, this is a high-cost short-term lending product. The 460% APR on 14-day loans and 214% on 30-day loans are substantially higher than credit cards, personal loans, or payday alternatives like credit union PALs. This product is best suited only for genuine short-term gaps where repayment is certain within 14-30 days, and consumers should exhaust lower-cost alternatives first.
Services & Features
Payday cash advances ($100–$300 loan amounts)
14-day deferred deposit transactions
30-day deferred deposit transactions
Instant debit card funding
Online loan application and approval
Bank account verification (no credit check)
Direct deposit income verification
No early repayment fees option
Phone and email customer support
In-person service at Fremont, CA location
Feature Checklist
Credit Education
Identity Theft Protection
Score Tracking
Mobile App
Online Portal
Personal Advisor
Pros & Cons
Pros
- No credit check required—approval based on income verification and bank account activity only
- Instant funding to debit cards—same-day or next-day access to cash
- No early repayment penalties—customers can pay off loans early without additional fees
- Transparent fee schedule—APR and exact fees disclosed upfront for $100, $200, and $300 loans
- Licensed California lender—regulated under CDDTL with state oversight and consumer protections
- Accepts alternative income sources—Social Security benefits qualify alongside traditional employment
- Simple online application—no lengthy underwriting; requires only ID, income proof, and bank verification
Cons
- Extremely high APR: 460% for 14-day loans and 214% for 30-day loans, among the highest legal lending rates
- Maximum loan amount of only $300 limits usefulness for larger financial emergencies
- Requires 3+ months of consistent income history, excluding newly employed or self-employed individuals without direct deposit
- Debt trap risk: short repayment terms and high fees can create cycles of repeated borrowing if underlying income problems aren't solved
- Limited to California residents only—unavailable in other states
Rating Breakdown
Value 0.0
Effectiveness 0.0
Customer Service 4.5
Transparency 0.0
Ease of Use 0.0
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cash Now California legitimate?
Yes. Cash Now California is a registered company headquartered in 38790 Paseo Padre Pkwy, Fremont, CA 94536. They hold a NR rating with the Better Business Bureau.
Quick Facts
- Headquarters
- 38790 Paseo Padre Pkwy, Fremont, CA 94536
- BBB Rating
- NR
- BBB Accredited
- No
- Starting Price
- Free to Use
- Setup Fee
- None
- Free Consultation
- Yes
- Money-Back Guarantee
- No
CreditDoc Diagnosis
Doctor's Verdict on Cash Now California
Cash Now California is appropriate only for consumers facing genuine short-term cash gaps (14-30 days) with verified income and no access to lower-cost credit. The 460% APR is legally permissible in California but extremely expensive; borrowers should first explore payday alternatives like credit union PALs, employer advances, or asking family before considering this product. Best used as a true emergency option, not a recurring financial strategy.
Best For
- Consumers with poor or no credit history facing a genuine 14-30 day income timing gap before payday
- Workers who need to avoid overdraft fees or urgent small expenses when savings are unavailable
- California residents with verified employment or Social Security income but who don't qualify for credit cards or bank loans
Updated 2026-04-01
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MoneyGram
MoneyGram is a global money transfer service with 14+ locations across Fremont, offering domestic and international fund transfers through retail partner networks.
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BBB: NR
Best for: Unbanked and underbanked consumers without traditional bank accounts, Users needing rapid domestic or international money transfers
Financial Wellness Guides
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Read guide →Financial Terms Explained (9 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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