Apply now

605 Lending reviews: is it legit?

What borrowers say, how the lender rates with the BBB, the real pros and cons, and what the lawsuits against it mean for you.

Apply for $200 to $5,000

By Dana Whitaker, Consumer Lending Editor. Reviewed by Marcus Ellery. Updated .

What borrowers say about 605 Lending

We read public 605 Lending reviews and complaints on the Better Business Bureau, SuperMoney, and consumer finance sites, then grouped them into the themes that come up again and again.

Review snapshot

BBB
Not accredited
SuperMoney
Strongly not recommended (10 reviews)
Review volume
Low, mostly negative
Praise themesComplaint themes

Meter shows the balance of themes below, not a star rating.

Praise

Fast funding in an emergency

Borrowers who needed cash within days, not weeks, say the money arrived quickly, often the same or next business day after the verification call.

Approval speed, same-day fundingReported on Finanso
Praise

Easy to qualify with bad credit

Reviewers with low scores note that approval was based on income and a checking account, with no minimum credit score and a short online form.

Bad credit, no credit score minimumReported on Finanso
Complaint

Total cost far above the amount borrowed

The most common complaint. Borrowers describe repaying two to three times what they borrowed, such as more than $1,200 back on a $400 loan, and still owing a balance.

High APR, total repaymentReported on SuperMoneyBBB
Complaint

Collection calls and communication

Several complaints describe frequent collection contact, including after borrowers asked for limited communication, and discomfort sharing banking details by phone.

Collections, customer serviceReported on BBB
Complaint

Account and payment mix-ups

Some reviewers report billing errors after a system change, or being told a final payment would be waived and then charged anyway.

Account errors, payment disputesReported on SuperMoneyBBB
Complaint

Questions about state law

Borrowers in states with strict rate caps, such as Michigan and Illinois, question whether loans near 750% APR are enforceable where they live.

Legality, state rate capsReported on BBB

How to read lender reviews

Look for patterns rather than single stories. People with a bad experience are more likely to post, so a small number of reviews tends to skew negative. Still, the same complaints repeated across different sites are a real signal. Check the BBB, the CFPB complaint database, and your state regulator, and pay close attention to how the lender responds when something goes wrong.

Pros and cons

A fast installment loan solves an urgent problem, but it comes with real trade-offs. Weigh both sides.

Pros

  • No minimum credit score
  • Decision in minutes and fast funding
  • Payments line up with your paydays
  • No collateral or prepayment penalty
  • One-time deferral if money gets tight
  • Application in English or Spanish

Cons

  • Very high APR, about 780% on the direct loan
  • Direct loan limit is $1,000
  • On-time payments do not build credit
  • Not available in 15 states and D.C.
  • Disputes go through tribal arbitration
  • Phone verification required to fund

Is 605 Lending legit?

605 Lending is a real, operating lender owned by the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe. It is also the subject of ongoing legal challenges that every borrower should know about.

Lawsuits in Illinois

In 2022, a class action (Harris v. FSST Management Services) was filed in the Northern District of Illinois, alleging that the lender's loans violate Illinois interest-rate law. In February 2026, a second federal case, Lessen v. FSST Management Services, was filed in the Central District of Illinois with similar claims, including allegations under the federal RICO statute. The claims against the tribal defendants in the newer case were paused while a related appeal is decided.

What this means for borrowers

These are allegations, and the cases are still being decided. If you have an existing loan and live in a state with strict rate caps, you can ask your state regulator or a consumer attorney whether your loan is enforceable. If you are considering a new loan, compare the cheaper alternatives and other loan types first.

Common questions

Is 605 Lending legit?

605 Lending is a real lender owned by the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe and has funded loans since 2018. It is not BBB accredited and faces lawsuits in Illinois over its interest rates.

Is 605 Lending BBB accredited?

No. 605 Lending is listed with the Better Business Bureau under payday loans in Flandreau, South Dakota, but it is not accredited.

What do 605 Lending reviews complain about?

The most common complaints involve the high APR, the total repaid compared with the amount borrowed, collection calls, and account errors.

Is 605 Lending being sued?

Yes. Class actions filed in Illinois in 2022 and 2026 allege that its loans violate Illinois interest-rate law. The cases have not been decided.

Need cash before payday?

Request $200 to $5,000 in about five minutes. No minimum credit score.

Start my application

Related guides

Available states

The full state-by-state list of where 605 Lending funds loans.

Read the guide

Tribal installment loans

How tribal lending works and how installment loans differ from payday loans.

Read the guide

Loan types compared

Eleven U.S. loan types and similar online lenders side by side.

Read the guide

Alternatives

Cheaper ways to cover a cash gap before you take a high-APR loan.

Read the guide

Who wrote this page

Dana Whitaker, Consumer Lending Editor

Dana has spent more than ten years writing about short-term loans, credit repair, and household budgeting for U.S. borrowers. She focuses on explaining loan costs in plain dollars so readers can compare offers quickly.

Reviewed by Marcus Ellery, Lending Compliance Reviewer. Last updated .

Sources

  1. 605 Lending official website: home, FAQ, rates, and how-it-works pages (605lending.com)
  2. FSST Management Services company information (fsstmanagementservices.com)
  3. Better Business Bureau profile, 605 Lending, Flandreau, SD
  4. Harris v. FSST Management Services, LLC, No. 1:22-cv-01063 (N.D. Ill.)
  5. Lessen v. FSST Management Services, LLC, No. 3:26-cv-03044 (C.D. Ill.)
  6. National Credit Union Administration, Payday Alternative Loan rules
  7. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, consumerfinance.gov
Need $200 to $5,000? Apply now