Quick loans are intended to provide short-term funding for emergency situations, such as an unexpected car breakdown. They are not intended to serve as long-term financial solutions. As such, quick loans typically have very short repayment periods, ranging from one week to as long as 30 or 35 days.

However, you may run into a situation where you are unable to make payments as scheduled to payday lenders. Although this situation can be unnerving, you should not panic, and you should definitely not attempt to hide from your creditors. There are options available that will allow you to repay the loan with minimal harm to your credit report, and without being made bankrupt. The key is to act quickly and decisively, and to reach out for help from third parties if you need it.

Dealing With Payday Lenders

If you have quick loans that you know you cannot pay off, your first move should be to cancel any direct debit authorizations, standing orders or recurring payments. This will prevent the payday loan company from attempting to withdraw funds from your account, thereby avoiding an overdraft. Your second move should be to should be to contact the lender directly. Explain your circumstances as transparently as possible and express your desire to work out alternate payment arrangements that are mutually acceptable.

Many lenders will offer you the opportunity to “roll over” the principle of the loan and pay only the interest if you cannot pay in full. Resist the temptation to accept such an offer, especially if you know that you will be unable to make payment in full whenever the next due date occurs. Instead, be prepared to present alternative arrangements that you have worked out that will allow you to repay the loan without “roll overs.”

Working Out Pro-Rata Offers

Pro-rata offers are based on making payments based on your available disposable income. The pro-rata system is the system used by the courts to determine what debtors can reasonably afford to pay. Most reputable creditors, including many lenders of quick loans, will accept repayment plans based on a pro-rata system.

For instance, you may have available disposable income of £200 a month to pay toward your debts, but you owe £2,000 to Payday Lender A and £1,500 to Payday Lender B for a total debt of £3,500. You would first multiply what you owe to Lender A by your available income for a total of £400,000. Divide this figure by £3,500 for a result of £114 to pay per month to Lender A. Then, multiply what you owe to Lender B by your available income for a total of £300,000. Divide this result by your total debt of £3,500 for a total of £86 per month to pay to Lender B.

Contact an Outside Intermediary Agency

If one or more of your lenders refuses to accept your pro-rata offer or alternative repayment plan, get help from an outside intermediary. Several organizations such as StepChange Debt Charity, National Debtline, and Citizens Advice (for England, Wales and Scotland) offer free advice to borrowers and will negotiate alternative payment arrangements with creditors. You can often work out a satisfactory repayment plan through one of these agencies without the need to take on the expense of creating a debt repayment plan with a commercial debt management company.