article_snippet: There is a need for short term credit, but payday loans can be a very expensive way to borrow money.
article_snippet: We need high street banks to step up and offer robust short term lending solutions.'
article_snippet: Joanna Elson, at the Money Advice Trust charity, said payday lenders must 'drastically improve the way payday lenders treat customers in financial difficulty'.
article_snippet: The Financial Ombudsman Service, which resolves disputes when financial firms and consumers cannot come to an agreement, said The Financial Ombudsman Service, which resolves disputes when financial firms and consumers cannot come to an agreement has seen vulnerable payday loan customers being treated in an 'alarming' way.
article_snippet: The ombudsman has seen a 64 per cent increase in payday lending complaints since 2012 and The ombudsman is currently taking on more than 70 new cases each month.
article_snippet: The ombudsman is finding in consumers' favour in around two-thirds of cases.
article_snippet: The main complaint The ombudsman deals with is a loan provider being unwilling to accept a suitable repayment plan, as well as poor administration and customer service.
article_snippet: Gillian Guy, of Citizens' Advice Bureau, said: 'Some of the worst debt collection practices people tell us about come from payday lenders. '
article_snippet: Payday loan firms should only lend to people who Payday loan firms know can afford to pay back the debt, and must point those who can't towards free debt advice.'