Check Cashing Fees

For a small fee they cash paychecks, corporate checks, certified checks, money orders, cashier's checks, tax rebate checks, and the like. For fraud-avoidance reasons, they won't cash personal checks, and require two forms of picture ID for those checks they do cash.

They also do wire-transfers of money, sell money orders, and make small, short term loans against future paychecks at high interest rates.

For a while I was between banks, not having been pleased with the sudden and substantial changes in policy that took place when my previous bank was bought by a larger company. Not being able to direct deposit my paycheck, carrying around a cashier's check from closing out my account, not immediately finding a bank with terms I liked, and having to pay my rent, I needed a quick infusion of cash.

I shopped around a bit, but the rates were pretty much the same at 1% of the value of the check, the only differences seemed to be in the variety of other services offered besides check cashing. Since all I was interested in was cashing a check, I went with the company that had the friendliest staff. Cost me a bit more than $20 on my check, but nothing bad seemed to come of it.

Because the fees are so high, it's something I'd only consider doing again in an emergency. I recommend you don't use it unless you have to. And if at all possible, stay away from their lending program. I've seen 10%/month interest rates in some places. That's so high you'd almost be better off going with a regular organized-crime-style loan shark, if it weren't for the threat of bodily harm if the money isn't paid back on time.