It is almost wasted to state the obvious, but times are hard these days. With our world seemly faster and more expensive to live in, it’s no wonder why many people have become reliant on the use of their credit cards. In itself, the use of credit cards is good – only if one can keep a handle on it at the end of the calendar month. However, the sad reality is that folks are getting themselves deeper into credit card debt. Well, debt all jointly.
Be Weary Of An Advance-Fee Loan Scam There are many fraudulent loan agents and other individuals misrepresenting the availability of credit and credit terms. One of their favorite strategies is the “advance-fee” loan scam. That’s where they claim to guarantee that they can get a loan or other type of credit for you-but you must pay a fee before you apply. Ads for advance-fee loans often appear in the classified ad section of local and national newspapers and magazines. They also may appear in mailings, radio spots, and on local cable stations. Often, these ads feature “900″ numbers, which result in charges on your phone bill.
One of the routes is to seek an advance payday loan to get through the tough times. How this does relate to credit, you may question; Plenty. Yes even many of those advance-fee loans look upon your credit history, alongside your power to repay it back. Believe you me that this may be one of the most heavy hitting, yet profitable businesses around. The interest on that loan can go as high as 60% on top of what you formerly owed. Not only this, but this ridiculous interest continues to roll, even if you make payments. However, by not completely shooting this sort of
business all together, it may be one of the last considerations that people may opt for to get them through the rough.
Like other scams, this sort of business also runs its own sort of scams to milk out the minuscule moneys that you may have. Their prized preys are those who are really in the down and out financial situation but cannot or not able to get a loan by conventional means as in a bank loan or a line of credit. We strive to educate you before making a decision in helping out a dire credit and debt problem.
The Scam:
Advance-Fee Loan These scams often prey consumers with credit problems or consumers who have difficulty getting credit. In exchange for an up-front fee, these companies guarantee that applicants will get the credit they want-usually a credit card or a personal loan. The up-front fee may range from $100 to several hundred dollars. Resist the temptation to follow up on advance-fee loan guarantees. They may be illegal.
Many legitimate creditors offer extensions of credit, such as credit cards, loans, and mortgages, through telemarketing and ask an covering fee or appraisal fee in advance. But legitimate creditors never guarantee in advance that you’ll get the loan. Under the federal Telemarketing Sales Rule, a vendor or telemarketer who guarantees or represents a high likelihood of your getting a loan or some other extension of credit may not ask for or receive payment until you’ve received the loan.
In addition, these companies often use delivery systems other than the U.S. Postal Service, such as overnight or courier services, to avoid detection and prosecution by postal government. Don’t confuse a legitimate credit offer with an advance-fee loan scam. An offer for credit from a bank, savings and loan, or mortgage broker generally requires your verbal or written acceptance of the loan or credit offer. The offer usually is subject to a check of your credit report after you apply to make sure you meet their credit standards. You are usually not required to pay a fee in order to get the credit.
Be suspicious of anyone who calls you on the phone and says they can guarantee you will get a loan if you pay in advance. Hang up. It’s against the law. All in all folks, as we mentioned before, that this option may be the key in helping you out of a financial pickle, but you ought to try to avoid this all together because it will be you who will end up paying through the nose.
