Personal Loan Fraud Detection and Prevention

In the digital realm, loan fraud poses a significant risk. Especially, if you are seeking a personal loan for which there are multiple options available. Personal loans are a very popular and easy option for those seeking some kind of financial help because of the hassle-free availability of such loans.

You must understand that as easy as it is to avail of a personal loan, it is equally easy to fall prey to a personal loan scam. In this blog, we have collated information on the different kinds of personal loan scams and some of the best tips for fraud prevention. Read on.

Different Kinds of Loan Scams

Borrowers should be wary of the different kinds of personal loan scams and take the necessary steps to protect their interests. The following are the main types of personal loan scams:

1. Advance Processing Fee Scam

   In this type of scam, individuals are promised a loan but are asked to pay the processing fee upfront; however, the loan is never sanctioned.

2. Phishing Scam

   This is another extremely common personal loan scam where a fraudster posing as a legitimate lender asks for confidential information, for example, bank details, OTPs, PAN Card details, and so on, for processing the loan. This data is then used to steal money from the victim's bank account.

3. Unsolicited Personal Loan Offers

   In these cases, scammers offer loans at very low-interest rates for an advanced processing fee or ask to share the OTP, which is then used for stealing money from the bank account or credit card.

4. "No Credit Check Required" Offers

   Personal loans are unsecured loans offered without collateral. Thus, the credit score of the individual applying for the role is crucial. If a lender claims to sanction a personal loan without checking your credit score, you need to be cautious and avoid falling prey to a scam. You should be extra cautious and avoid falling prey to loan fraud.

Tips to Avoid Personal Loan Scams

It is very easy for scammers to present themselves as legitimate money lenders and use various tactics to obtain sensitive information from individuals, such as their bank details, government IDs, OTPs, etc.

Though it may sound challenging; however, with a little research and caution, you can avoid personal loan scams. The following are crucial tips that can help you with personal loan fraud detection.

1. Ensure That The Lender Is Legitimate

   Before you apply for a personal loan, it is crucial to authenticate the lender's legitimacy. For this, all you need to do is do some online research, and you can find out if the lender has been registered with the National Housing Bank (NHB) or the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Also, check for online reviews and ratings of the lender, and you can get an idea of how good and effective their schemes are. Organisations such as KreditBee are safe and secure platforms for a hassle-free personal loan experience.

2. Stay Cautious of Spontaneous Loan Offers

   You must stay extremely cautious of loan offers from unknown sources, especially when you have made no inquiries about the loan. Typically, legitimate loan lenders do not initiate contact with anyone to make loan offers. You must be particularly cautious of loan offers with claims of "no credit check needed."

3. Scrutinise Schemes That Offer Extra Perks

   Scammers frequently offer a lot of perks to attract the attention of individuals who may need immediate financial assistance. To avoid any type of loan fraud, you must carefully read the terms and conditions and understand the total amount you will have to repay. The "attractions" or schemes often last only for the first year, and scammers are not transparent about all the details of the contracts. Once you sign the documents, you are bound to their terms and conditions.

4. Always Check for Any Hidden Charges

   The truth is that personal loans are available at excellent interest rates (particularly for those who have a good credit history). You always need to be aware of the charges associated with the loan. Before you sign any document, understand all the details, such as interest rates, possible hidden costs, and penalties. This is one of the main fraud prevention techniques. Do read the contract so that you are aware of any type of hidden charges, for example, administration fees.

5. Seek Advice From a Legal Advisor

   Another crucial step is to ask for legal help. A legal advisor can help you comprehend the circumstances and terms of the loan and confirm if the lender is legitimate. A legal advisor can also review the loan agreements and contracts to check for any conditions that may harm borrowers.

6. Never Share Confidential or Sensitive Financial Information With Anyone

   You need to be overly cautious of various phishing scams where a scammer claims to be a legitimate lender and seeks sensitive information, such as PAN numbers, OTP, bank details, etc. You should never share your financial information or personal data with anyone.

7. Be Cautious of Advance Processing Fees and Unrealistic Interest Rates

   Honest lenders never ask for an advance fee for processing a loan. It is likely a scam if a lender asks for an advance processing fee. Also, be careful of personal loan offers with unrealistic interest rates. It is critical to compare all types of loan offers from various lenders to guarantee that you are not getting into an interest rate that is much higher or much lesser than the regular market interest rates. This is another one of the most basic fraud prevention techniques.

8. Use an EMI Calculator

   Before you apply for a personal loan, use a Personal Loan EMI Calculator to estimate your monthly loan repayments depending on the interest rate offered to you. An EMI calculator will help you understand if you can really afford the loan and clarify if you are taking on more loans than you can handle.

Conclusion

Personal loan scams are a serious threat in our country, with many victims falling prey to such scams. However, if you exercise caution and research, you can safeguard yourself against such scams.

If you have any personal loan requirements, then reach out to KreditBee – your safe and secure personal loan provider.
Contact Us now.