[glibgil]

They weren't honest with themselves. High interest is difficult to pay. Only luck would have allowed them to pay

[TheOtherHobbes]

They were up to date on their payments. There was no hint they were ever going to default. It's pure supposition - of the blame the victim kind - to imply they were running some kind of inverse scam, even subconsciously, or that they would have stiffed the lender.

[beart]

The article indicates they had never missed a payment.

[cortesoft]

Ok, that is a little bit of a stretch for honesty... by that definition, every single shortcoming is actually about not being honest....

[FireBeyond]

'naivety' would probably be better. 'over optimistic'.