California Code, Financial Code - FIN § 22326

No person, except as authorized by this division, shall directly or indirectly charge, contract for, or receive any interest, discount, or consideration greater than the lender would be permitted by law to charge if he or she were not a licensee hereunder, upon the loan, use, or forbearance of money, goods, or things in action, or upon the loan, use, or sale of credit.  This section applies to any person, who by any device, subterfuge, or pretense charges, contracts for, or receives greater interest, consideration, or charges than is authorized by this division for any loan, use, or forbearance of money, goods, or things in action or for any loan, use, or sale of credit.