Payday Loan Laws and Regulations in South Carolina (SC)

Payday loans are allowed in South Carolina, but they operate under strict state rules that keep the product from being unchecked. Lenders may charge up to $15 for every $100 borrowed, which translates to roughly a 391 % APR on a two‑week loan, and they cannot lend more than $550 per loan; the loan must be repaid on the borrower's next payday (typically 14 to 31 days). Only one loan may be outstanding at a time, and the law forbids rollovers - if a borrower cannot pay on time, they must settle the original balance and fee rather than extend the loan. Collection practices are limited to a $30 non‑sufficient‑funds fee, and lenders must disclose the total charge and APR in writing before the loan is made. The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs enforces these requirements, and borrowers can verify a lender's license through the state's online registry.

Before signing, check the written agreement for the fee amount, loan term, and repayment schedule to ensure the loan complies with the statutory caps.

In South Carolina, a payday loan is limited to $500 per transaction and must be paid back within 31 days (or earlier if you choose). The law also caps the 15 % finance‑charge at the total amount you borrow, so the fee cannot push the cost beyond that percentage.

Before you sign any agreement, check the lender's written terms to confirm the loan amount and fee stay within these limits and that the repayment schedule matches your cash flow. If you need more than $500, a payday loan isn't an option under state law and you'll need to explore other credit products. Only take a payday loan if you are certain you can repay the full amount by the due date.

In South Carolina, the law caps the cost of a payday loan at 15 % of the principal, which can translate to an APR as high as 391 % for a typical 14‑day loan [debthammer.org](https://debthammer.org/south-carolina-payday-loan-laws/).

• Finance charge limit: 15 % of the loan's principal balance [debthammer.org](https://debthammer.org/south-carolina-payday-loan-laws/)
• APR ceiling: up to 391 % APR on a 14‑day loan [debthammer.org](https://debthammer.org/south-carolina-payday-loan-laws/)
• Maximum loan amount: $550 [debthammer.org](https://debthammer.org/south-carolina-payday-loan-laws/)
• Loan term limit: 31 days [debthammer.org](https://debthammer.org/south-carolina-payday-loan-laws/)
• Collection charge for non‑sufficient funds: $30 [debthammer.org](https://debthammer.org/south-carolina-payday-loan-laws/)
• Only one loan may be outstanding at a time and rollovers are prohibited [debthammer.org](https://debthammer.org/south-carolina-payday-loan-laws/)

Always read the lender's written agreement and verify the fee schedule before signing.

In South Carolina a payday loan must be paid in full on the agreed‑upon due date; the state does not allow lenders to roll the loan over or extend the term.

• **Rollovers are prohibited.** The state's Deferred Presentment Services Act expressly bans extending a loan by adding a new fee and moving the due date, so the original balance must be repaid rather than 'rolled over.'
• **No extensions are permitted.** Lenders cannot legally lengthen the repayment period after the loan is issued; any change would violate the statutory finance‑charge limits.
• **Only one loan at a time.** Borrowers may not open a second payday loan until the first is completely satisfied, and the lender must record the loan in a statewide database that blocks additional loans while the balance remains unpaid.
• **Limited re‑loaning window.** After a loan is paid off, a new payday loan can be taken the next business day; however, after seven consecutive loans, a mandatory two‑day waiting period applies.
• **Enforcement is civil, not criminal.** If a borrower cannot repay, the lender may pursue collection through civil court, but the state does not authorize criminal prosecution for non‑payment.

If you're unsure whether a lender is trying to roll over a loan, compare the terms in your written agreement with the rules above and contact the South Carolina Financial Services Commission for clarification. 

In South Carolina, state regulations generally limit borrowers to one active payday loan at a time; you must fully repay that loan before applying for another  -  this is the standard rule most lenders follow, and many check a central database to enforce it [carolinapaydayloansinc.com](https://carolinapaydayloansinc.com/how-many-payday-loans) [gobankingrates.com](https://www.gobankingrates.com/loans/personal/how-many-payday-loans-can…).

Some lenders do allow a single rollover or extension of the original loan rather than a new loan, but they still prohibit having two separate payday loans simultaneously. Before proceeding, review the lender's specific terms and confirm the rollover policy aligns with state rules [rixloans.com](https://www.rixloans.com/payday/how-many-payday-loans-can-you-have-in-s…). Always read the agreement carefully to ensure you can meet the repayment schedule.

No, South Carolina does not criminalize failure to repay a payday loan; non‑payment leads only to civil actions, not jail time. While lenders can pursue a judgment, wage garnishment, or other collection measures, they cannot have you arrested for an unpaid loan [scjustice.org](https://www.scjustice.org/brochure/payday-lending/).

1. **Confirm the nature of the debt.** Review your loan agreement; payday loans are treated as a civil contract, so any default triggers civil remedies, not criminal charges.
2. **Respond to collection notices promptly.** If you receive a court summons or wage‑garnishment order, appear in court or contact the lender to discuss payment options before a judgment is entered.
3. **Seek a repayment plan.** South Carolina law requires lenders to offer an extended payment plan at no additional cost for deferred‑presentment loans after June 30, 2025 [scstatehouse.gov](https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/379.htm). Ask the lender to formalize such a plan in writing.
4. **Report unlawful threats.** If a lender threatens arrest or criminal prosecution, file a complaint with the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs, the agency that oversees payday lenders.

If you're unsure about a collector's actions, consult a consumer‑rights attorney; civil debt issues can become complex, but imprisonment is not a legal outcome for unpaid payday loans.

In South Carolina, payday lenders are overseen by the Consumer Finance Division (CFD), a unit of the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs. The CFD issues the state license that any company must have to offer payday loans, enforces the $15‑or‑15 %‑of‑principal finance‑charge ceiling, and monitors lenders for compliance with all applicable statutes.

For example, the CFD reviews loan agreements to confirm the finance‑charge limit, conducts periodic audits of licensed lenders, and maintains a public list of approved payday‑loan providers. If a borrower files a complaint, the CFD investigates and can require the lender to correct violations, impose fines, or suspend the license. Before applying for a payday loan, you can search the CFD's online database to see whether the lender is currently licensed and in good standing.

*Always double‑check a lender's licensing status with the Consumer Finance Division before signing any payday‑loan agreement.*

You can verify a payday loan provider's legitimacy in South Carolina by checking the state's licensing databases and confirming the information directly with the regulator; the two official resources are the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) licensee lookup and the NMLS Consumer Access portal, and a quick phone call can clear up any remaining doubts.

• Visit the DCA's Licensee Lookup page and search the downloadable Excel list for 'payday loan' or the specific company name (South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs license lookup).
• Go to the NMLS Consumer Access website and enter the lender's name, license number, or NMLS ID to see the current status (South Carolina Consumer Finance NMLS lookup).
• Call the DCA licensing team at 1‑800‑922‑1594 (or 803‑734‑4200) during business hours to ask about the lender's license and any recent actions.
• Look on the lender's website for a clearly posted 'Consumer Loans' pamphlet that includes the license number and contact information; the pamphlet should be downloadable in PDF format.
• Keep a record of the license number and compare it to the state's records before you sign any agreement; if the information does not match, consider another lender.

If a lender cannot provide a verifiable South Carolina license, do not proceed with the payday loan.

Tribal lenders may operate payday loans in South Carolina, but they are not automatically exempt from the state's consumer‑finance rules. Whether a tribal lender must follow the 15 % fee cap, the $500 loan‑size limit, and licensing requirements depends on if the lender has a sufficient connection - such as a physical office, employees, or a clear business presence - in the state.

South Carolina courts have held that when a tribal lender's activities create enough 'nexus' to the state, the Department of Consumer Services can enforce the state's payday‑loan caps and licensing statutes against that lender. In those cases, the lender is treated much like any other payday‑loan provider and must comply with the same statutory limits.

If you are considering a payday loan from a tribal lender, verify that the lender is registered with the South Carolina Department of Consumer Services. You can request a copy of the lender's license or check the department's online database. If the lender cannot provide proof of licensing, treat the loan with extra caution, as it may fall outside state protection.

If your payday loan issue isn't resolved after you've contacted the lender directly, you can submit a formal complaint to the South Carolina Consumer Finance Division, the agency that oversees non‑bank payday lenders. Gather the loan agreement, any correspondence, and a clear summary of the dispute, then call the division at 803‑734‑2020 or fax 803‑734‑2025. You can also start an online complaint at the state's Consumer Finance portal consumerfinance.sc.gov or mail a paper form to the Consumer Finance Division, 3rd Floor, Edgar Brown Building, 1205 Pendleton St., Columbia SC 29201 ovlg.com.

When you file, provide your name, address, phone number, the loan date(s) and amount(s), a concise description of the problem, the lender's name and the contact you've already used, any response you received, and a statement about whether legal action is pending. Do not include your Social Security number or full account numbers, as the office will request only essential details lawhelp.org. Remember that complaints may become part of the public record under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, so double‑check the information you submit. If you're unsure about any step, consult a local legal aid service before proceeding.