Every number on Fenix Loans traces back to a document you could pull yourself—government spreadsheets, Fed surveys, court filings. Here's exactly how we keep that chain intact, what "independent review" actually means, and where to look if you want to verify our work.
Why does fact-checking matter for payday loan information?
Because a single outdated rate cap or misstated cooling-off period can cost you hundreds. State laws change. City ordinances pass mid-year. A source that was authoritative in 2022 may be contradicted by new Fed data in 2024. We treat every claim as a liability until it's anchored to a source you can independently access.
This isn't about trust—it's about verify. Our job is to make verification possible.
How do we classify source quality?
We work with a four-tier hierarchy detailed in our editorial policy. Tier-1 sources include Census income tables, Federal Reserve SHED data, and Pew Charitable Trusts peer-reviewed research. Tier-2 covers National Consumer Law Center reports and established state regulatory hubs.
Here's the rule: if an author relied on Tier-3 or Tier-4 material—think unsourced blog posts or press releases—the fact-checker must upgrade to Tier-1 or Tier-2 before publication proceeds. No exceptions.
What happens when sources conflict?
We don't average them. We don't pick the more convenient number. We surface the disagreement in the text so you know the range of authoritative estimates. This matters because borrowing statistics—unbanked rates, rollover frequencies, average loan sizes—vary significantly depending on whether you're reading Fed survey data or Census tables. Both can be correct for their methodology. Our job is to flag which one you're looking at.
Can you see our work?
Not directly, but you can reconstruct it. Every significant claim includes enough detail—survey wave, table number, legislative session date—to let you pull the original source within minutes. If you request a specific citation, we pull the original document within 48 hours.
Found something off? We publish corrections with date stamps and explain what changed. No silent updates.
What does the three-stage process look like in practice?
Here's how a typical claim moves through:
- Extract the claims. The fact-checker isolates every numerical, legal, and regulatory assertion in the draft—down to phrases like "approximately 12 million Americans."
- Hit the primary source. Each claim is matched to its original document: Census table, SHED survey instrument, state statute, or peer-reviewed study. Tier-3 and Tier-4 sources get upgraded.
- Second pair of eyes. A different credentialed reviewer examines 20% of the fact-checker's work at random, verifies the source links, and signs off in writing before publication.
After publication, the cycle repeats: state pages every 6 months, city and Learn pages every 12 months, and immediately after any legislative or ordinance change we detect.
FAQ: How we handle the details borrowers actually ask about
How do I know your state rate caps are current?
State hub pages are re-checked every 6 months and immediately after any legislative session ends. If a bill passes that changes maximum fees or cooling-off periods, we update within days of the governor's signature—not at the next scheduled review.
What if I find a number that doesn't match what my lender told me?
Lenders operate under the laws that existed when they issued your loan, and some grandfathering provisions apply. Our figures reflect current statutory limits. If there's a discrepancy, check your loan date against the effective date of any law change. We note effective dates explicitly for this reason.
Why do different articles cite different unbanked rates?
Because they're measuring different things. Census unbanked tables, Fed SHED data, and FDIC National Survey of Unbanked and Underbanked Households use different survey waves and definitions. We specify which source each figure comes from so you can compare apples to apples.
How fast do you fix errors?
We pull the original source within 48 hours of any challenge. Confirmed errors are corrected and posted to our corrections page with the date of change and what specifically was updated. We do not remove the original incorrect text—we strike through and annotate so the record remains clear.
Can I request a specific source document?
Yes. Email our editorial team with the article and claim in question. We'll provide the primary source citation or the document itself within 48 hours. This applies to any numerical, legal, or regulatory assertion on the site.