[Libs-Or] FW: Payday Lending Campaign: Free Mousepads!

[Arlene Weible]

If you would like to receive free mouse pads supporting this campaign, please contact Diane Childs by November 15. She can be reached at diane.m.childs at state.or.us<mailto:diane.m.childs at state.or.us>, via direct phone at 503-947-7423 or via the DCBS toll-free number:  1-866-814-9710

From: Arlene Weible
Sent: Monday, November 04, 2013 11:21 AM
To: Libs-or
Subject: Payday Lending Campaign: Free Mousepads!

The Oregon Dept. of Consumer and Business Services is launching a public awareness campaign about unlicensed payday lenders and is seeking assistance from libraries in spreading the word. Here is a description of their campaign:

"The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services regulates payday lending in Oregon. Before offering and providing these loans to consumers, lenders must obtain a license from us and agree to abide by Oregon's laws that limit the fees and interest rates. The licensing requirement and agreement extends to those lenders offering payday loans that are not based in Oregon and those providing loans  online - currently there are only 3 online payday lenders with an Oregon license.

We are seeing an increase in the use of unlicensed payday loans by Oregonians. In fact we have received an average of two complaints a week. The majority of the complaints are from consumers who agree to a loan (by an unlicensed lender) and have been charged numerous fees and excessive interest rates (200% - 800%). Worse yet, the lenders have access to the consumers' bank accounts and debit money from their accounts sometimes on a weekly basis. These, and many other consumers, are unaware that the lender must be licensed in Oregon.

Our campaign goal is to tell (and tell again) consumers to

  *   Check the proper Oregon licensing of a prospective payday lender,
  *   Make sure they are only charged the fees and interest rate allowed by Oregon law, and
  *   How to spot an unlicensed lender.

As part of our outreach efforts, we want to work with Oregon's libraries to spread the word - via mouse pads imprinted with our slogan "Would you pay $1,000 for a $300 loan?"; our website's URL: www.stopunlicensedloans.com<http://www.stopunlicensedloans.com> (still in production) and our toll-free number. Why mouse pads? Although we don't have statistics, we know a good portion of those seeking loans do so by going online. And since many libraries offer free Internet access, this is an effective means to reach people around the state."

If you are interested in receiving mouse pads, please contact Diane Childs. She can be reached at diane.m.childs at state.or.us<mailto:diane.m.childs at state.or.us>, via direct phone at 503-947-7423 or via the DCBS toll-free number:  1-866-814-9710. She wants to gauge interest by the libraries and get their "orders" for mouse pads as soon as possible. They hope to launch the campaign by November 29 - Black Friday. The pads will be sent free of charge, and they will also be happy to provide printed brochures with further information.

Yet another state agency recognizing the ability of libraries to help get information to Oregonians and a great way to do a "refresh" on your public workstations!

--Arlene

Arlene Weible
Electronic Services Consultant
Oregon Federal Regional Depository Coordinator
Library Development Services
Oregon State Library
250 Winter St NE
Salem OR, 97301
503-378-5020
arlene.weible at state.or.us<mailto:arlene.weible at state.or.us>
http://www.oregon.gov/osl/LD/Pages/technology/sdlp/index.aspx




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