As the internet continues to grow and dominate our way of life, so do the odds that you get involved with a personal loan scam. There are countless scammers out there who are hoping to capitalize on unsuspecting individuals looking to apply for a loan online. While easily identifying scams can be easier said than done, there are some warning signs that are usually indicative of a phony lender. Learn how to spot suspicious lenders before you get involved in a scam that could end up causing serious damage to you and your credit rating.
Credit Check Is a Must
Often, scammers will advertise that their loan application process doesn’t involve a credit check, hoping to appeal to individuals who have low credit scores. You ought to know that a legitimate lender will always do a credit check before taking approving a loan or taking any further steps beyond the application. Your credit score indicates how responsible of a consumer you are, and will let the lender know if you can be trusted to repay the loan in a timely manner. Don’t fall for advertisements that claim credit checks aren’t required, as it’s most likely a scam.
Sift Out the Spam
If lenders are reaching out to you via phone unsolicited, you shouldn’t pay them much attention. Spammers can send out millions of calls to people all over the world, just waiting for someone to take their bait. Who you work with throughout the loan application process should be up to you, so never respond to calls or emails from so-called lenders unless you recognize the name and know they can be trusted.
Be Wary of Up-Front Fees
A major indicator of whether a lender is legitimate or not, has to do with asking for up-front fees. Almost all legitimate lenders will not ask for any up-front fees, unless you’re applying for a commercial loan or have 3rd party fees that must be paid such as an appraisal on a mortgage loan. Scammers will prey on those who fail to catch on to their scheme and continue to ask for fees without providing any sort of service. If you’re asked to pay a fee up-front for your personal loan, your best bet is to take your business elsewhere. Remember these tips when searching for the best online personal loan.