Have you ever figured out how long you could pay your bills if you didn’t earn any money?
For most Americans, it’s less than a month.
In 2020, 70% of people in a survey said they would struggle to keep up with their bills if they didn’t get paid for an extra week.
This is why people need short-term loans like the ones Greenline Loans offers.
But before you borrow from them, it’s important to do your research.
Greenline Loans: Legit or Scam?
Discover if Greenline Loans is a legitimate lending option or a potential scam.
Read our review to make an informed decision before borrowing.
What is Greenline Loans?
Greenline Loans gives short-term loans to people with bad credit who need money quickly for emergencies like car repairs or medical bills.
They don’t check credit scores and provide funds fast.
But their loans are expensive, and they advise considering other options like borrowing from family or using savings, which might be cheaper.
Is Greenline Loans Licensed?
Greenline Loans does business in Wisconsin without a state lending license.
They’re a tribal lender connected to the Lac du Flambeau Band of Chippewa Indians, which gives them special legal protection.
This protection means they can charge higher rates than allowed by states and are hard to sue.
They mention their tribal connection in their disclaimers but might not explain what it means for borrowers.
Typical Loan Terms
Tribal lenders are now sharing fewer details about their loan terms upfront, often waiting until borrowers receive their loan documents.
However, by checking previous versions of Greenline Loans’ website, borrowers can find information like:
- Loans ranging from $100 to $300
- An interest rate of about 762.33%
- Payments every two weeks
- Repayment periods of a few months, depending on the loan amount
- No fees for paying early
- A late fee of up to 10% after five days
- Extra fees for insufficient funds
In example, a $300 loan at 762.33% APR would lead to $633.53 in interest alone, more than double the original amount.
While Greenline Loans might have removed this information from their site, it’s likely that their rates haven’t changed.
Online Reputation
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is a good place to check a company’s reputation online.
They filter out fake reviews and use customer complaints to rate businesses.
Surprisingly, Greenline Loans doesn’t have much information on its BBB page.
Despite being in business for almost ten years, there are only three reviews and no complaints.
The BBB redirects visitors to Quick Help Loans, which now includes Greenline Loans.
However, Quick Help Loans’ page also has limited information, with only two reviews (one positive and one negative) and six complaints.
Some complaints mention confusion about the lender’s identity due to changes by the Lac du Flambeau Band of Chippewa Indians, who own Greenline Loans.
Most complaints are about high borrowing costs and billing and collections processes.
Despite this, Quick Help Loans has an A- rating because they address complaints well.
Looking for reviews elsewhere online doesn’t reveal much, which might mean that Greenline Loans doesn’t do as much business as other similar companies.
While the lack of negative reviews might seem good, it could also suggest a lack of business activity.
It’s better to consider lenders with a proven track record.
Lawsuits
Checking if a business has been sued can show if it’s trustworthy.
While Greenline Loans hasn’t faced lawsuits, its parent company, the Lac du Flambeau leaders, was sued for charging very high interest rates.
In 2019, someone sued the tribe leaders for breaking their state’s rules on interest rates (Pennsylvania).
Suing a tribal lender is hard because they have legal protection, but suing the tribe is even harder.
The courts dismissed the lawsuit, saying the tribe could ignore state rules because of their legal protection.
Pros
Getting a loan from Greenline Loans might seem helpful for those in a financial crisis, but it’s actually very expensive for most people.
They offer:
- An online application that’s quick and easy
- Easy qualification for almost anyone with a job
- Loans starting at $100, so you only borrow what you need
- Fast fund transfers, sometimes within a day
However, their interest rates are extremely high, making them a bad choice for most people, even with these benefits.
Cons
Greenline Loans, like many tribal lenders, has common issues that can be costly for borrowers.
Here’s why people should consider other options:
- Their loans are much more expensive than other types, especially for those with bad credit.
- They’ve broken state rules meant to protect consumers.
- Their special legal protection lets them break rules without consequences.
- Their loans often lead to a cycle of debt, like payday loans.
If someone still decides to borrow from them, it’s best to pay off the loan quickly to avoid high interest charges.
How to Apply for a Loan at Greenline Loans
Applying for a loan with Greenline Loans, despite the concerns mentioned in this review, is quite easy.
To qualify, you need to:
- Have a job or regular income
- Make at least $1,000 per month
- Be at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen
- Have a checking account
- Live in one of the states where Greenline Loans operates
Most working adults should meet these requirements easily.
However, it’s worth noting that Greenline Loans is willing to lend to people with incomes below the poverty line, which raises questions about their lending practices.
If you meet these qualifications, the application process is simple.
You’ll need to provide:
- Your personal details: name, contact information, and Social Security Number
- Details about your income: where you work or how you earn money
- Your banking information: your bank’s routing and account numbers for transferring funds
Be careful when sharing this information, as applying for a loan could result in frequent emails and calls from Greenline Loans, even if you haven’t agreed to a loan yet.
Better Options Than Greenline Loans
People often turn to lenders like Greenline Loans because they think they have no other choice.
They might not have savings, help from family or friends, or access to a regular bank loan.
However, there are better options available:
- Paycheck Advance Apps: These apps let you get some of your pay before payday without interest. They can provide similar or even more money than Greenline Loans, and they’re quick to use in emergencies.
- Credit Unions: Credit unions can offer better loan deals than banks, but it takes time to join one. Joining a federal credit union like PenFed could be helpful in the future.
- Secured Personal Loans: Offering something valuable as security can make it easier to get a loan, even if you have bad credit.
These options are usually better than Greenline Loans because they cost less and are often easier to get. Paycheck advance apps, especially, can be just as fast as Greenline Loans.
Is Greenline legit?
Yes, Greenline Loans is a real lender.
They’re part of the Online Lenders Alliance (OLA), which helps inform consumers about lending.
Their website is safe and has standard privacy policies.
They also share information about the tribe that owns Greenline.
However, when we called their customer service, there was no option for general questions, and we couldn’t speak to anyone.
The Bottom Line
Greenline Loans: Legit or Scam?
Here it is: It is legit!
They’re expensive and not well-known, even among similar lenders.
It’s better to consider other options we’ve mentioned or get advice from a credit counselor on managing your money.
Also Read:
- Is Coffee Break Loans Legit?
- Is The Cup Loan Program Legit? Uncovering the Truth
- Legitimate Loans for Bad Credit: A Guide