Check out our most Popular Searches
Choose The Product You Are Applying For
Check out our most Popular Searches
Choose The Product You Are Applying For
How to Avoid Personal Loan Scams?
For meeting any emergency fund requirements, a Personal Loan is an indispensable financial lifeline. However, Personal Loan scams are also on the rise. As a smart individual, you must stay alert and protect yourself from these scams. Here are the 7 signs of potential Personal Loan scams and how to identify and avoid them. Read on!
Here are the 7 signs to identify Personal Loan scams in India:
1. Credit Check: Reputable lenders check your credit score before approval. If a lender does not go for a credit check, it is likely a scam.
2. Advance Payment: Legitimate lenders do not charge a substantial upfront fee for a loan. If a lender asks for an advance payment, it is a scam.
3. Unusual Communication Channels: Reputable lenders communicate through professional channels, such as email or letters inviting you to apply. Step back immediately if a lender contacts you through cold calls, text messages, or social media.
4. Absence of a Physical Address: Authentic lenders have a physical office address you can visit. If a lender does not have one, it is likely an online loan scam.
5. Pressure to Decide: Reputable lenders do not pressure you to decide about a loan quickly. If a lender pressures you to apply for a loan immediately, stay away!
6. Suspicious E-mails and Websites: Legitimate lenders have professional websites and emails. A lender's website or email is likely a scam if it contains grammatical errors, typos, or an obscure domain name.
7. Lack of Security on the Website: Reputable lenders have secure websites that use encryption to protect your personal information. If a lender's website does not have a padlock symbol next to the address bar, stop!
Scammers send Personal Loan fraud messages to customers. Here are a few examples of such scam messages:
Avoid Personal Loan scams and protect your finances with these precautions:
Also Read - Different Types Of Personal Loans In India
If you find yourself involved in a Personal Loan scam, here are the steps to follow:
1. Contact the Companies Involved
If you have already paid the scammer, contact the lender and request the cancellation of the fraudulent transaction.
2. File a Police Report
If you cannot detect the scammer after making a transaction, visit the local police station and file a police report. Make sure to keep a copy of the report as proof. Also, it should be reported on the National Cyber Crime Portal. You can report it online or contact the National Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930.
3. Monitor Your Credit
If your financial information is compromised, monitor your credit report for fraud activity. It would be best to raise a fraud alert on your credit report, informing creditors about the fraud. In a credit inquiry, the lenders must contact and verify the identity before approving the request.
Also Read - What is Personal Loan? Things You Should Know
It is essential to identify Personal Loan scams to protect yourself from financial pitfalls. You can safeguard yourself from financial pitfalls by recognising red flags like unsolicited offers, no credit checks, and pressure tactics. When choosing a lender, prioritise transparency, flexible terms, and trusted reputations. Remember, vigilance is your best defense against Personal Loan scams.
We take utmost care to provide information based on internal data and reliable sources. However, this article and associated web pages provide generic information for reference purposes only. Readers must make an informed decision by reviewing the products offered and the terms and conditions. Personal Loan disbursal is at the sole discretion of Poonawalla Fincorp.
*Terms and Conditions apply
Our team of expert writers and editors are passionate about providing authentic and valuable information on finance. Our aim is to simplify financial and finance-related concepts. We strive to help our readers become more aware and empowered to make informed financial decisions.
There has been a massive improvement in the financial literacy of the modern Indian, thanks to the rise of the internet and the increasing interest of the users.
Getting behind the wheels of your car is a wonderful experience. But finding the right car that fits your budget and aspirations is not a cakewalk.
The cyber city of Gurgaon, now known as Gurugram, has developed into a financial, technology and industrial hub. It holds the distinction of having Indias third-highest per capita income.
Irrespective of how efficiently you plan your finances, sometimes, financial needs occur all of a sudden and mostly when you least expect it.
Transformation and growth are a part of life. As a professional, you have immense growth opportunities, some of which you are unable to pursue due to a lack of funding.
