A growing number of utility companies are allowing customers to pay their bills at payday loan stores.

Utilities do that because it's a cheap way to collect payments. Payday lenders see it as a chance to push high-cost loans on consumers at a time they need money to pay essential bills.

"Utilities shouldn't direct customers to pay bills where predatory loans are pitched," says Rick Jurgens, a consumer advocate at the National Consumer Law Center.

But until gas and electric companies find a more responsible way for customers to pay their bills in person, you may have to use a payday loan store. Just don't borrow any money.

Payday lenders make short-term loans at outrageous annual interest rates of 300% and more. When the loans come due, consumers are frequently forced to repay by taking out another loan, putting themselves more deeply into debt.

If you need cash, try Interest.com's alternatives to payday loans instead.