Maryland settles with cash advance app Brigit for $600,000

Maryland has reached a $600,000 settlement with Brigit, an app that gives people cash advances on their upcoming paychecks. Attorney General Anthony Brown announced it Tuesday. The state says the company, formally called Bridge It Inc., misled customers and made loans without a license.

What the state alleged

The state said Brigit offered "instant cash" loans that people repaid from future wages. It also said the company advertised advances that some users did not qualify for. A third claim was that people with an unpaid advance could not cancel their subscriptions, so fees kept coming.

What changes

• Brigit must let users cancel subscriptions and recurring charges at any time.
• It must pay $600,000 to the Consumer Protection Division of the Attorney General's Office.
• It must follow Maryland law and clearly disclose all key loan terms and fees.
• It must say if an advertised amount depends on eligibility, or if instant access costs extra.

What is not known yet

The article does not say how many people were affected. It does not say whether users will get refunds. Brigit did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The settlement covers Maryland, and the article does not describe any changes elsewhere.

What to do

If you use any cash advance app, look at the monthly subscription fee and check whether faster delivery costs extra. Also confirm you qualify for the amount shown in the ad before you count on it.