What to Look Out For to Prevent Online Loan Scams
Illegal money lenders can easily set up online
scams. All they need is a website and a phone address to get their business up
and running.
While it can be difficult to tell the difference
between a licensed money lender and a loan shark, there are some telltale signs
you can look for to avoid being duped.
Here are a few things to keep an eye out for.
1. Remote Loan
Application And Disbursement
As more licensed money lenders go digital, online
loan applications are becoming more common.
There are licensed money lenders with an online
presence who provide services that can be applied for online.
However, the rise in remote applications provides an
opportunity for unlicensed money lenders to defraud others.
Before disbursing your loan, a licensed Singapore moneylender will conduct a face-to-face verification.
Unlicensed money lenders, on the other hand, may approve your application via
email, SMS, or phone call without any contract. There may be no face-to-face
meeting, and your loan may be disbursed directly to you.
As a result, be cautious and avoid falling victim to
these types of scams. Check to see if the licensed money lender you're
dealing with is licensed. Check that the lender has a proper business address
and application procedure.
If you are not required to go to a physical location
to sign a detailed loan contract, this is a huge red flag and a sign that you
should cut all contact immediately.
2. Interest
Rates and Fees
Before your loan
is processed, an unlicensed money lender or loan shark may request upfront
fees, processing fees, or admin fees. They may even state that you must pay a
fee before they can disburse your cash loan.
A licensed money
lender will never ask you to transfer funds to them before making a loan
payment. After your loan is approved, they will only charge a 10% admin fee,
which will be deducted from your principal loan amount.
Aside from that,
loan sharks or unlicensed money lenders charge interest rates that exceed 4%
per month. They charge more to earn a large sum of money in a short period of
time by using high interest rates.
The Ministry of
Law in Singapore, on the other hand, regulates licensed money lenders. They are
only permitted to charge a maximum of 4% per month for both nominal interest
and late repayment interest.
Remember to
double-check the interest rates you're being charged.
A licensed money
lender in Singapore will provide you with the lowest interest rate.
3. Physical
Locations
A physical address is required for a licensed money
lender. You must visit their office for verification and to review the loan
contract and terms.
As a result, if a money lender cannot provide you
with an address, the money lender is most likely a loan shark.
You can also look up the official addresses of licensed
money lenders on the Ministry of Law website.
5. Meaning of
Advertising
Businesses that go digital also take advantage of
the opportunity to keep up with trends. To entice people to borrow from them,
they may use tactics such as SMS, WhatsApp, flyers, and emails. These are
violations of advertising rules for licensed money lenders. As a result, block
and report the number immediately.
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