Mom Says School Supply Deal Has Her Worried

HOUSTON - She thought she was getting an incredible bargain on school supplies.

Now, a low-income single mom in north Houston says her “great deal” is causing a great deal of concern.

She says she was taken advantage of, and she is also afraid her family may be vulnerable to identity theft.

Lashawnda Sims saw a Craigslist ad for dirt-cheap school supplies. Sims has 4 school-age children, so she signed up at an Express Loans storefront on Veterans Memorial.

Sims says the office manager tried to get her to take out a payday loan, even though she’s unemployed.

And even though she declined, she tells FOX 26 News she still had to provide a lot of personal information to sign up for the school supplies.

“Everything,” Sims says, when asked what vital information she shared. “My Social (Security Number), my I.D., my children's information, schools and everything. So it makes me real nervous.”

Sims showed a receipt for the $17 she says she paid, but tells us she never got any school supplies.

According to the Better Business Bureau, payday lenders are supposed to be registered with the state, but Express Loans is not registered.

“It doesn’t appear to be a legitimate payday lender,” says the BBB’s Monica Russo.

FOX 26 News tried to get some answers from Express Loans. When we came calling during business hours, a man inside was clearly visible through the heavily-tinted window.

The man waved at our camera but refused to unlock the door and respond to our questions.