The Rise and Risk of Online "Buy Now, Pay Later" (BNPL) The landscape of consumer credit has undergone a radical transformation with the rapid ascent of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services. Once a niche alternative to credit cards, BNPL has become a dominant feature of the modern e-commerce checkout process, with transaction volumes multiplying exponentially in recent years. While marketed as a simple "way to pay" rather than traditional debt, BNPL represents a significant shift in how consumers—particularly younger and financially constrained individuals—engage with credit. Buy Now, Pay Later – What Consumers Need to Know - DFPI