With a number of loan scams out there, it is important to know what to look for and how to avoid them.
Check The FCA Register – You can check the FCA Register here for free which gives you a live update on the status of any companies you might be applying with. This will tell you if they are licensed and legitimate or if they have a different status and you should not proceed.
They Ask For Money Upfront – It is common for loan scams to ask for money upfront before transferring you the full amount. However, this is not the case with personal loans and credit cards and you should usually receive the full loan amount in one lump sump without having to put any money down upfront.
Their Contact Details Are Suspicious – If you are receiving an email from a lender with a Gmail or Hotmail account, this is likely to be suspicious and not a legitimate lender.
Promise of No Credit Checks – As part of FCA regulation, all direct lenders must carry out sufficient credit checks on a customer’s loan application before funding and approval. Any websites or lenders that promise no credit checks should be approached with caution. However, there are some loan products that do not require credit checks but require other forms of security or collateral such as logbook car loans and secured loans.
The Lender Says Loans Are 100% Guaranteed – Due to FCA regulation, a loan application must always undergo sufficient checks and a loan can never be fully guaranteed upon application. There are typically checks are requirements in place such as being employed and having a regular income to be approved or a personal or payday loan.