More and more poor and middle-class workers in need of fast cash are turning to high interest payday lending establishments in order to meet their financial demands. This growing trend is alarming to economists, legislators, and consumer advocates who see payday lending as a kind of "legal loan sharking." Most users want to borrow between $100 and $300, and will write a post-dated check for that amount, plus a 15-20 percent fee. Typically, along with the post-dated check, the borrower will also provide proof of a checking account, employment, and permanent residence to one of these store-front lenders. The loan is due on the borrower's next payday, at which time, the borrower may choose to pay another fee and roll over the loan, or the lender will cash the check or accept cash payment and destroy the check. Lenders took in "more than $1 billion in fees last year and expect to take in another $2 billion this year." Although the practice of payday lending is illegal in eighteen states, these businesses continue to flourish. In 1995, there were fewer than 1,000 "payday lenders" in the US. Now, however, in 2000, there are over 10,000 such stores.