As of 2006, there were roughly 25,000 payday lending businesses in the United States. Choosing one to deal with can be quite the challenge. It is no coincidence, though, that most successful payday loan companies exist in states where the laws regulating them are strict. Those states include Florida, California-which has a tradition of being consumer advocates, South Carolina and Arkansas.

Customers can rest assured that if a company has established a strong brand nationwide or even in their own state, it’s more likely than not that the company pays closer attention to state laws. Case in point, Amscot located in Florida. This company, although only really present in central Florida, has been in operation for almost 20 years. The longevity of this company, and the professional staff they employ make it easy to see how this payday loan company has become a leader in it’s region.

Another successful company that happens to be a national brand is ACE cash express. This company has a store presence in over 38 states and Washington, D.C. Although the fees and interest rates differ from state to state, it is more likely that all loan terms will be explained thoroughly, and alternative repayment plans offered since this brand has a centralized way of doing business. Many smaller businesses don’t have the advantage of experience or having legal departments that can regulate how their businesses are run.

Both of the aforementioned companies have a websites online, but they don’t offer their services online. There are many companies that do offer online payday loan options. Some of the better ones can be spotted by the security measures they use on their websites. Having the security lock and the BBB seal on the website are good things. But even these safety measures can be doctored by scam artists trying to look legitimate. Doing a background check through the Better Business Bureau or Consumer Affairs can turn up many complaints that a site won’t reveal.

Another way to decipher a truly reputable payday company online would be doing a search for recommended payday loan websites or a similar search. There is safety in numbers, and the fact that some sites are grouped together doesn’t necessarily mean they are better, but often times if they have the backing of a legitimate source-then they’re likelier to be good websites.

The decision to choose a payday lender can be made even easier if the company is indeed a member of the Community Financial Services Association of America. This is the industry trade group that regulates payday loan companies and governs over 5,000 individual locations nationwide. To belong to this organization, companies must live up to the requirements of the state they are in.

Comparison shopping for a payday loan isn’t easy. Sometimes choosing a company to work with can be a no-brainer. The company’s reputation precedes it, which garners trust in the customer. However, when no clear choice is apparent-researching the options available are important. Even before an emergency situation arises that requires fast cash-people should know in advance what their financial safety net options are.