Why does the licence matter?
A licence is what makes the cost cap, the cancellation right and the rollover ban enforceable. An unlicensed lender has not agreed to any of them, and you have far fewer ways to complain.
How do I check a licence?
- Find the legal name. Look in the footer or terms of the lender’s website for the company name and licence number. Licensed lenders are generally required to display it.
- Open your province’s registry. Use the official link in the table below.
- Search the name or number and confirm the licence type is “payday lender” and the status is active.
- Match the details. The name and web address on the registry should match the site you are dealing with.
- No match? Stop, and report the site to the regulator.
Where is the registry for my province?
| Province | Regulator | Phone | Rules & licence check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction | 1-877-427-4088 | Official site |
| British Columbia | Consumer Protection BC | 1-888-564-9963 | Official site |
| Manitoba | Manitoba Consumer Protection Office | — | Official site |
| New Brunswick | Financial and Consumer Services Commission (FCNB) | — | Official site |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Digital Government and Service NL | — | Official site |
| Nova Scotia | Service Nova Scotia | — | Official site |
| Ontario | Consumer Protection Ontario (Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery) | 1-800-889-9768 | Official site |
| Prince Edward Island | PEI Consumer Services | 1-800-658-1799 | Official site |
| Saskatchewan | Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan (FCAA) | — | Official site |
What are the warning signs of an unlicensed lender?
- A fee is requested before the loan is released.
- No licence number, legal name or Canadian address is shown.
- You are asked for your online-banking password or to buy gift cards.
- Approval is promised before you have given any information.
How does Public Cash Services use licence data?
Each lender profile shows the provinces it is licensed in, the licence number where it is public, and the date we last looked it up. We still ask you to check for yourself — registries change daily.
Quick answers
Do online payday lenders need a licence?
Yes. A lender offering payday loans to residents of a province needs that province’s licence, whether or not it has a storefront there.
What if a lender is licensed in another province but not mine?
Then it is not licensed to lend to you. Licences do not carry across provincial borders.