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Those payday loans are technically in the clear, legally, via plausible deniability. Those who call and harass aren't supposed to be from the payday loan company, they're independent contractors. And since they target those who are strapped for cash, I doubt they've got any resources to file cases against the companies. The government? Maybe once in a blue moon when it's politically advantageous for them to make a show of possibly doing something about it. Otherwise, they've got other priorities.

The loansharks are like a cottage industry here, and they are kinda small businesses in themselves--just without the paperwork. No paper trail other than a simple notebook where the loans and repayments are recorded. Those who resort to them for loans often have no choice, and won't complain to the police about it even if it were indeed illegal. And the police? They've got other more ~~lucrative business~~ important things to take care of.