Terms of Service

Last Updated: October 02, 2025

Agreement to Terms

These Terms of Service (“Terms”) constitute a legal agreement between you (“User,” “you,” or “your”) and Houston Loans Online (“we,” “us,” “our,” or “Company”) regarding your use of our website located at freedmenstownmuseums.org (the “Site”) and our loan matching services (the “Services”).

By accessing or using our Site or Services, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, do not use our Site or Services.

Description of Services

Loan Matching Platform

Houston Loans Online operates as a loan matching service that connects potential borrowers with lenders in our network. We are not a direct lender and do not make lending decisions or issue loans directly.

Our Services Include:

  • Online loan application processing
  • Matching borrowers with potential lenders
  • Facilitating communication between borrowers and lenders
  • Providing educational resources about loan products
  • Customer support for the application process

Our Services Do Not Include:

  • Direct lending or loan origination
  • Loan underwriting or approval decisions
  • Collection of loan payments
  • Loan servicing after origination
  • Financial advice or credit counseling

Types of Loans Facilitated

We facilitate matching for various loan types available to Houston, Texas residents:

Loan Products:

  • Payday loans (up to $1,000)
  • Installment loans (up to $5,000)
  • Personal loans (up to $50,000)
  • Title loans (up to $50,000)
  • Tribal loans (various amounts)
  • Allotment loans for federal employees (up to $25,000)

Geographic Coverage: Our services primarily serve Houston, Texas residents and surrounding Harris County areas, though some lenders may serve broader Texas or national markets.

Eligibility and User Requirements

Basic Eligibility

To use our Services, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Be a legal resident of Texas (primarily Houston area)
  • Have a valid Social Security number
  • Maintain an active checking account
  • Provide accurate and truthful information
  • Have legal capacity to enter into binding agreements

Prohibited Users

You may not use our Services if you:

  • Are under 18 years of age
  • Are not legally authorized to enter into contracts
  • Have been previously banned from our Services
  • Are using our Services for illegal purposes
  • Provide false or misleading information
  • Are subject to bankruptcy proceedings (unless disclosed)

Account Registration

Registration Process:

  • Complete online application with accurate information
  • Verify identity through our authentication process
  • Agree to these Terms and our Privacy Policy
  • Consent to credit checks and information sharing
  • Maintain updated contact and financial information

Account Security: You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account information and for all activities under your account.

User Responsibilities and Conduct

Information Accuracy

Truthful Information Required:

  • Provide complete and accurate personal information
  • Update information when circumstances change
  • Do not misrepresent income, employment, or financial status
  • Report any material changes that affect loan eligibility

Consequences of False Information:

  • Application rejection or loan denial
  • Termination of Services
  • Potential legal action for fraud
  • Damage to credit score or rating

Acceptable Use

Permitted Uses:

  • Apply for legitimate loan products
  • Research loan options and terms
  • Communicate with matched lenders
  • Use educational resources provided

Prohibited Uses:

  • Submit multiple applications with different information
  • Use automated systems or bots
  • Attempt to circumvent our security measures
  • Harass or abuse our staff or lenders
  • Use Services for illegal activities
  • Share account access with third parties

Communication Consent

By using our Services, you consent to:

  • Receive communications via phone, email, text, and mail
  • Communications from Houston Loans Online and lenders
  • Marketing and promotional messages (with opt-out rights)
  • Automated calling systems and prerecorded messages
  • Sharing your information with lenders for loan purposes

Lender Network and Third-Party Relationships

Independent Lenders

Lender Autonomy:

  • All lenders in our network are independent businesses
  • Each lender has their own terms, rates, and requirements
  • Loan decisions are made solely by individual lenders
  • We do not control or influence lending decisions

Lender Responsibilities:

  • Compliance with applicable federal and Texas state laws
  • Proper licensing and regulatory compliance
  • Truth in Lending Act (TILA) disclosures
  • Fair lending practices and non-discrimination
  • Loan servicing and collection activities

Our Role as Intermediary

Matching Services:

  • Connect borrowers with potentially suitable lenders
  • Facilitate initial communication and application submission
  • Provide platform for loan application processing
  • Offer customer support during matching process

Limitations of Our Role:

  • We do not guarantee loan approval or terms
  • We cannot modify lender terms or conditions
  • We are not responsible for lender actions or decisions
  • We do not participate in loan servicing or collections

Fees and Payment Terms

Houston Loans Online Fees

No Fees to Borrowers:

  • Our loan matching service is free to borrowers
  • We do not charge application fees
  • We do not charge matching or referral fees
  • All costs are paid by lenders in our network

Lender Fees:

  • Individual lenders may charge their own fees
  • Interest rates, origination fees, and other charges vary by lender
  • All lender fees must be disclosed per federal law
  • Review all loan terms carefully before accepting

Third-Party Costs

Potential Additional Costs:

  • Credit report fees (if required by lender)
  • Document preparation fees (lender-specific)
  • Late payment or NSF fees (per loan agreement)
  • Collection costs (if loan defaults)

Disclaimers and Limitations

Service Disclaimers

“As Is” Service Provision:

  • Services provided without warranties of any kind
  • No guarantee of loan approval or specific terms
  • No assurance of lender response or communication
  • Technology may experience interruptions or errors

No Financial Advice:

  • We do not provide financial or legal advice
  • Educational content is for informational purposes only
  • Consult qualified professionals for specific advice
  • Make independent decisions about loan products

Limitation of Liability

Liability Limitations: Houston Loans Online’s liability is limited to the maximum extent permitted by law. We are not liable for:

Direct Damages:

  • Loan denials or unfavorable terms
  • Lender actions or omissions
  • Credit score impacts from applications
  • Financial losses related to loan decisions

Indirect Damages:

  • Consequential or incidental damages
  • Lost profits or business opportunities
  • Emotional distress or punitive damages
  • Third-party claims or losses

Maximum Liability: Our total liability to you for any claims shall not exceed $100 or the amount you paid us for Services (which is $0 for borrowers), whichever is greater.

Indemnification

User Indemnification: You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Houston Loans Online, our officers, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses arising from:

  • Your use of our Services
  • Violation of these Terms
  • Infringement of third-party rights
  • False or misleading information provided
  • Illegal or unauthorized use of Services
  • Actions taken by lenders based on your application

Privacy and Data Protection

Information Collection and Use

Data Practices:

  • Our collection and use of personal information is governed by our Privacy Policy
  • By using our Services, you consent to our Privacy Policy
  • We share information with lenders for loan matching purposes
  • Security measures protect your personal and financial data

Third-Party Sharing:

  • Information shared with lenders for loan evaluation
  • Service providers assist with technology and operations
  • Legal disclosures as required by law
  • Marketing partners (with your consent)

Intellectual Property Rights

Our Intellectual Property

Protected Content:

  • Website design, layout, and functionality
  • Logos, trademarks, and brand elements
  • Educational content and resources
  • Software and technology platforms
  • Marketing materials and communications

Usage Rights: You may use our website for its intended purpose but may not:

  • Copy, modify, or distribute our content
  • Use our trademarks or logos without permission
  • Reverse engineer our technology or software
  • Create derivative works from our materials

User-Generated Content

Content You Provide:

  • You retain ownership of information you submit
  • You grant us license to use information for our Services
  • You represent that you have rights to all submitted content
  • You agree not to submit copyrighted material without permission

Termination

Termination by You

User Termination Rights:

  • You may stop using our Services at any time
  • Contact us to request account closure
  • Outstanding loan obligations with lenders remain your responsibility
  • Some data retention may be required for legal compliance

Termination by Us

Company Termination Rights: We may terminate or suspend your access for:

  • Violation of these Terms
  • Fraudulent or illegal activity
  • Providing false information
  • Abuse of our Services or staff
  • Extended inactivity

Effect of Termination:

  • Access to Services will be discontinued
  • Outstanding obligations to lenders remain in effect
  • Certain provisions of these Terms survive termination
  • Data may be retained as required by law

Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

Applicable Law

Texas Law Governs: These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any legal actions must be brought in courts located in Harris County, Texas.

Dispute Resolution

Preferred Resolution Process:

Step 1: Direct Contact

  • Contact us directly to resolve disputes
  • We commit to good faith resolution efforts
  • Most issues can be resolved through customer service

Step 2: Mediation

  • Binding mediation if direct contact fails
  • Mediation conducted in Houston, Texas
  • Costs shared equally between parties

Step 3: Arbitration

  • Final binding arbitration for unresolved disputes
  • American Arbitration Association rules apply
  • Individual arbitration (no class actions)
  • Arbitration location: Houston, Texas

Class Action Waiver

Individual Actions Only: You agree that disputes must be resolved individually and waive rights to participate in class actions, collective actions, or representative proceedings.

Additional Legal Provisions

Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full force and effect.

Force Majeure

We are not liable for delays or failures due to circumstances beyond our control, including natural disasters, government actions, or technical failures.

Assignment

You may not assign these Terms or your account. We may assign our rights and obligations to affiliated companies or successors.

Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the complete agreement between you and Houston Loans Online regarding our Services.

Modifications

Changes to Terms:

  • We may modify these Terms at any time
  • Changes effective upon posting to our website
  • Continued use constitutes acceptance of changes
  • Material changes may be communicated via email

Regulatory Compliance

Federal Compliance

Federal Laws:

  • Truth in Lending Act (TILA) compliance
  • Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requirements
  • Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) adherence
  • Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA) compliance
  • Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) protection

Texas State Compliance

Texas Regulations:

  • Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner (OCCC) oversight
  • Texas Finance Code compliance
  • Consumer protection laws adherence
  • Licensing requirements for participating lenders

Industry Standards

Best Practices:

  • Responsible lending principles
  • Data security standards
  • Consumer education initiatives
  • Transparent fee disclosure
  • Fair marketing practices

Effective Date

These Terms of Service are effective as of October 02, 2025 and apply to all use of Houston Loans Online Services on or after this date.