PLS Loan Store Reviews and Ratings

The PLS Loan Store brand logo

PLS Loan Store is not one simple company. Instead, it is one of several retail names run by PLS Financial Services, Inc. In addition, the same owner runs PLS Check Cashers, and in Illinois it operates the Payday Loan Store of Illinois. Altogether, PLS offers check cashing, payday and installment loans, auto title loans, and a prepaid card. However, the exact mix changes a lot from one state to the next.

Most people who search for PLS Loan Store reviews want one thing. Specifically, they want to know if a product at their local store is worth using. Unfortunately, that is harder than it sounds, because PLS products and prices follow each state’s own lending laws. On top of that, the company has a federal data security case in its past. Therefore, this review sorts the real state by state facts and the verified record from PLS’s own marketing, so readers can decide with clear eyes.

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 What is PLS Loan Store?

The Xpectations! Plus Debit Mastercard, issued by Green Dot Bank, advertises up to $300 in opt-in overdraft protection, early direct deposit, and free in-network ATM use at PLS stores. Promotional offers like the $500 direct-deposit credit expire, so customers should confirm current terms first.

PLS Loan Store is a retail brand of PLS Financial Services, Inc. The company is privately held and based in Chicago. Founded in 1997 by Dan and Bob Wolfberg, it is still led by the pair as co-presidents. Today, PLS Financial Services sits under a parent company, PLS Group, Inc.

PLS runs stores under a few names, including PLS Loan Store, PLS Check Cashers, and the Payday Loan Store of Illinois. Meanwhile, its own site lists service in about 12 states: Arizona, California, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wisconsin. Because the exact store count shifts over time, check pls247.com for the relevant state.

PLS aims at unbanked and underbanked consumers who need cash access, check cashing, or a small loan without a traditional bank account. It also serves borrowers in rate capped states who want a nearby storefront option.

Why PLS looks different in every state

PLS operates under one brand across very different laws. As a result, the loans a customer can actually get depend on the state. Illinois is the clearest example. Since 2021, the state’s Predatory Loan Prevention Act has capped most consumer loans at 36 percent annual percentage rate (APR). That is a much lower cost than states with no rate cap. By contrast, other states still allow higher cost payday and title lending.

The prepaid card adds another layer. For example, the Xpectations! Plus Debit Mastercard is a Green Dot Bank product sold through PLS, so it is not a PLS bank account. That matters when help is needed, because card issues route to Green Dot, not PLS. As a result, the two are easy to confuse. To be clear, check cashing is a fee to turn a check into cash, while a loan is money a borrower repays with interest.

PLS Loan Store products and services

PLS check cashing

PLS cashes many check types, including payroll, government, tax refund, business, and personal checks. Generally, fees start low and rise with risk. For instance, in some states the rate begins near 1 percent plus $1 for payroll and government checks up to $1,000. Other check types cost more, and business checks can run up to about 5 percent. In addition, a minimum charge of $1 often applies. Because of this, customers should ask the store for the exact rate before cashing a check.

PLS payday and installment loans

PLS offers small loans in some states. However, terms and prices are set by state law, so there is no single national loan. In Illinois, for example, the 36 percent APR cap shapes what PLS can charge. Elsewhere, in states with no cap, costs can run as high as other storefront lenders. Before signing, anyone weighing these short term products can read a plain guide to payday loans. Above all, confirm state terms live on the PLS site.

PLS auto title loans

In some states, PLS lends against a customer’s car title. Naturally, the loan amount depends on the value of the vehicle, and rates and rules vary by state. Ultimately, auto title loans put the car at risk if the borrower cannot repay, so the cost deserves care.

Xpectations! Plus Debit Mastercard

The card is issued by Green Dot Bank, Member FDIC, and it has no per use purchase fee. Notably, there is no monthly fee with $500 or more in eligible direct deposits; otherwise, the fee is $5 per month. In network ATM use is free at PLS stores, while out of network use costs $3 plus the ATM owner’s fee. Meanwhile, overdraft protection is opt in and covers up to $300. Specifically, a $15 fee can apply to each eligible purchase that takes the balance negative, so bring the balance back to at least $0 within 24 hours to avoid that fee. Finally, direct deposit can arrive up to two days early for payroll and up to four days early for government benefits.

PLS money orders, bill pay, and tax prep

Many PLS stores sell money orders, offer bill pay, send money transfers, and help with tax prep. For reference, a money order is a prepaid check that will not bounce. Still, availability differs by location, so customers should confirm what a store offers before visiting.

PLS application process and eligibility

Requirements are simple and vary by product and state. For check cashing, a customer shows a valid government issued photo ID and the check. Meanwhile, for a payday, installment, or title loan, the store asks for photo ID, proof of income, an active checking account in many states, and for title loans a clear vehicle title. In most cases, approval is same day in the store. Even so, exact rules follow state law, so a customer should confirm the terms at the local store first.

PLS Loan Store cost and fees

Check cashing is the easiest cost to state. Typically, it starts near 1 percent plus $1 in some states and climbs with the check type. Loan costs, however, are not that simple. Because APR and fees change by state and by product, there is no single blended cost that fits every store.

Illinois shows why. There, the 36 percent APR cap makes a loan cost far less than one in a state with no cap. That is a legal difference, not a company choice. In fact, it also explains why some PLS state pages lead with the card and overdraft protection instead of a payday loan.

The card fees are clear. For instance, cardholders may pay $5 per month without a qualifying direct deposit, $15 for each eligible overdraft transaction, and $3 for out of network ATM withdrawals. Before relying on any card feature, read the current Deposit Account Agreement at PLScard.com. Keep in mind that promo offers, like a small direct deposit credit, tend to expire, so confirm the terms first.

PLS Loan Store reviews and ratings

PLS Loan Store BBB rating and complaints

PLS Financial Services is not a Better Business Bureau (BBB) accredited business, and its Chicago headquarters profile carries an F rating. On BBB, customer reviews average about 1 out of 5 stars across roughly nine reviews. In particular, many complaints describe rude service, slow direct deposits, and disputes over holds on cashed checks. Notably, card complaints often get routed to Green Dot Bank, since Green Dot issues the card.

PLS Loan Store Yelp and Google reviews

On Yelp, the Pls Loan brand averages about 3.1 stars from 30 reviews across 58 US locations, reflecting the mixed customer feedback covered in this review. The listing tags PLS under Financial Services and Check Cashing/Pay-day Loans.

Yelp paints a mixed picture. Overall, the PLS brand averages about 3.0 stars across 120 reviews from 57 locations, while the PLS Loan title brand averages about 3.2 stars across 32 reviews from 58 locations. Meanwhile, single stores swing widely. For example, some Los Angeles and Indianapolis stores sit near 2.5 to 2.7 stars, while a few Illinois stores score much higher. On the apps, the PLS Mobile app rates about 4.0 stars across 4,670 reviews on Google Play, and the Xpectations! Plus app rates about 4.7 stars across 3,234 reviews.

PLS Loan Store Trustpilot reviews

Trustpilot is thin for PLS. In fact, the main US facing profiles hold only a handful of reviews. Because that volume is too small to be a fair sample, do not treat it as the last word on PLS.

PLS Loan Store CFPB complaints

Search the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) complaint database under three names: PLS Financial Services, PLS Loan Store, and Payday Loan Store of Illinois. After all, complaints can sit under any of them. Therefore, pull the current count and top categories before relying on any number.

Reddit reviews

Reddit has no large thread built only around PLS. Still, threads in r/personalfinance and r/povertyfinance carry a clear warning about high cost payday loans. For example, users describe paying far more in interest than they borrowed. Admittedly, that pattern fits the category more than PLS alone, but it is worth a reader’s caution.

PLS Loan Store outcomes and success rate

PLS does not publish approval rates or savings benchmarks that we can verify. As a result, this review will not claim a success figure. What we can say, however, is grounded and simple. On one hand, check cashing gives fast cash for a fee, while a loan gives money now that the borrower repays with interest. In a rate capped state like Illinois, the cost of a PLS loan is limited by law. Elsewhere, the cost can be high, and the value depends on the borrower’s own terms. Either way, confirm the numbers for the relevant state before counting on any result.

PLS Loan Store pros and cons

Pros

• Many services sit under one roof, from check cashing to loans to a prepaid card.
• Customers do not need a bank account to cash a check.
• The Xpectations! Plus card offers free in network ATM use at PLS stores.
• PLS has a long history since 1997 and a large multi state store network.
• Illinois customers get the state’s 36 percent APR cap on most consumer loans.

Cons

• Product access and price change a lot by state, so it is hard to know what is available.
• PLS has a federal data security case in its past, settled with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in 2012.
• Card overdraft protection costs $15 per eligible transaction and is opt in, not free.
• BBB complaints describe holds on cashed checks that block access to funds.
• Card problems route to Green Dot Bank, not to PLS directly.
• In states with no rate cap, payday and title loans can be very costly.

PLS Loan Store best for and not recommended for

This quick comparison places the ideal PLS customer next to a poor fit, so a reader can size things up fast.

Best for

• People in a rate capped state, like Illinois, who confirm current loan terms first.
• Unbanked or underbanked customers who need to cash a check without a bank account.
• Anyone who wants check cashing, bill pay, and a prepaid card in one place.
• Careful readers who study the card agreement and understand the opt in overdraft fee.

Not recommended for

• People in states where a PLS payday or title loan carries a high APR, without comparing a cheaper option.
• Anyone who assumes the card overdraft is free or automatic.
• Borrowers with an active check dispute who need instant, sure access to funds.
• Consumers who could build a small emergency fund instead of borrowing at a high rate. Even a modest cushion can help a person skip a costly loan.

PLS Loan Store vs Check Into Cash

Check Into Cash is the closest peer to PLS. It is owned by Community Choice Financial, Inc., which also runs Speedy Cash, TitleMax, and CheckSmart across about 30 states. Both firms cash checks, offer small loans, and sell prepaid cards. Both also shape loan terms around each state’s rate cap law. Pull current fees and state coverage from each company’s own site before choosing. For readers whose real goal is to clear balances rather than borrow more, a store loan is worth comparing with a plain debt relief plan first.

Is PLS Loan Store legitimate

PLS is a real, long running company. Specifically, PLS Financial Services, Inc. has operated since 1997 under PLS Group, Inc. Currently, it runs stores in about 12 states. Its BBB profile, meanwhile, is not accredited and carries a low rating, which is common in this industry.

There is one clear mark on its record. Back in 2012, the FTC settled with PLS Financial Services, PLS Group, and the Payday Loan Store of Illinois. According to the case, the company dumped sensitive customer files in unsecured dumpsters. As a result, PLS paid $101,500 in civil penalties and agreed to a long term data security program. Today, the case is settled and dated, but it is real and public.

The card is legitimate too, but it belongs to Green Dot Bank. As a result, a card dispute goes to Green Dot, not PLS. On the review side, BBB sits near 1 out of 5 and Yelp near 3.0 as of this writing. Ultimately, read the facts and let them guide the decision rather than the slogans.

PLS Loan Store review verdict

PLS Loan Store is a real, long-running company, not a scam. Indeed, it has served customers since 1997 and runs stores in about 12 states. The catch, however, is that the brand sells very different products under very different state laws, so the value depends on where a customer lives.

Here is the quick recap. First, check cashing and the Xpectations! Plus card help unbanked and underbanked customers. Second, loan costs swing by state, from the 36 percent APR cap in Illinois to much higher rates elsewhere. Meanwhile, reviews are mixed, with a low BBB rating near 1 out of 5 and Yelp near 3.0. Finally, the 2012 FTC data case is settled but real, and card disputes route to Green Dot, not PLS.

The smart move is a conditional one. Before anything else, a customer should check current state terms on the PLS site, read the card agreement in full, and compare the cost with a cheaper local option. So, ready to borrow smarter? Compare rates from vetted lenders and pick the lowest cost option before walking into a storefront.

Frequently asked questions about PLS Loan Store

Is PLS Loan Store legit

Yes, PLS is a real company that has run since 1997. It does carry a low BBB rating and a settled 2012 FTC data case, so use it with care.

How much does PLS charge to cash a check

Fees start near 1 percent plus $1 in some states for payroll and government checks. Other checks cost more, and business checks can reach about 5 percent. Ask the local store for the exact rate.

Who issues the Xpectations! Plus card

Green Dot Bank issues the card, Member FDIC. PLS only sells and reloads it, so account issues go to Green Dot.

Does PLS offer the same loans in every state

No. Loans and prices follow each state’s law. Illinois caps most consumer loans at 36 percent APR, while other states may allow higher costs.

What does PLS overdraft protection cost

It is opt in and covers up to $300. A $15 fee can apply to each eligible transaction that takes the balance negative unless it is fixed within 24 hours.

Disclaimer. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. Always consult a licensed professional for advice tailored to the individual situation. Product availability, rates, and fees vary by state and location and are subject to change. Verify current terms directly with PLS Loan Store before applying or using any product described here.