How to Avoid Advance-Fee Loan Scams

Many people are tempted by quick money fixes and fast, cheap loans. These scams often target consumers with bad credit problems or those with no 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. Because military families are often faced with financial burdens not placed on other families, they can sometimes fall victim to these frauds in attempts to make payments for children, necessities and other expenditures.

MilitaryConnection.com hopes the following information will help military families distinguish wrongful lenders from trustworthy ones.

The up-front fee may be as high as several hundred dollars. Resist the temptation to follow up on advance-fee loan guarantees as they may be illegal. Many legitimate creditors offer extensions of credit, such as credit cards, loans, and mortgages through telemarketing, and require an application 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 seller 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.

Recognizing an Advance-Fee Loan Scam

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. 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 authorities.

It’s not hard to 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. Usually, you are not required to pay a fee to get the credit.

Hang up on anyone who calls you on the phone and says they can guarantee you will get a loan if you pay in advance. It’s against the law.

Protecting Yourself

Here are some tips to keep in mind before you respond to ads that promise easy credit, regardless of your credit history:

Most legitimate lenders will not “guarantee” that you will get a loan or a credit card before you apply, especially if you have bad credit or a bankruptcy.

It is an accepted and common practice for reputable lenders to require payment for a credit report or appraisal. You also may have to pay a processing or application fee.

Never give your credit card account number, bank account information, or Social Security number out over the telephone unless you are familiar with the company and know why the information is necessary.

Credit Repair Scams

You see the ads in newspapers, on TV, and on the Internet. You hear them on the radio. You get fliers in the mail. You may even get calls from telemarketers offering credit repair services. They all make the same claims:

“Credit Problems? No Problem!”

We can erase your bad credit-100% guaranteed.”

“Create a new credit identity – legally.”

“We can remove bankruptcies, judgments, liens, and bad loans from your credit file forever!”

Do yourself a favor and save some money, too. Don’t believe these statements. They’re just not true. Only time, a conscientious effort, and a plan for repaying your debt will improve your credit report.

The Warning Signs

If you should decide to respond to an offer to repair your credit, think twice. Don’t do business with any company that:

wants you to pay for credit repair services before any services are provided

does not tell you your legal rights and what you can do yourself — for free

recommends that you not contact a credit reporting company directly

suggests that you try to invent a “new” credit report by applying for an Employer Identification Number to use instead of your Social Security number

advises you to dispute all information in your credit report or take any action that seems illegal, such as creating a new credit identity. If you follow illegal advice and commit fraud, you may be subject to prosecution.

You could be charged and prosecuted for mail or wire fraud if you use the mail or telephone to apply for credit and provide false information. It’s a federal crime to make false statements on a loan or credit application, to misrepresent your Social Security number, and to obtain an Employer Identification Number from the Internal Revenue Service under false pretenses.

The Credit Repair Organizations Act
By law, credit repair organizations must give you a copy of the “Consumer Credit File Rights Under State and Federal Law” before you sign a contract. They also must give you a written contract that spells out your rights and obligations. Read these documents before signing the contract. The law contains specific consumer protections. For example, a credit repair company cannot:

make false claims about their services

charge you until they have completed the promised services

perform any services until they have your signature on a written contract and have completed a three-day waiting period. During this time, you can cancel the contract without paying any fees.

Your contract must specify:

the total cost of the services

a detailed description of the services to be performed

how long it will take to achieve the results

any “guarantees” they offer

the company’s name and business address

Where to Complain

If you’ve had a problem with any of the scams described here, contact your local consumer protection agency, state Attorney General (AG), or Better Business Bureau. Many AGs have toll-free consumer hotlines. Check with your local directory assistance.

Because military families often face financial burdens other families don’t, they need to be especially aware of “too-good-to-be-true” scams that ensure great financial results. Knowing how to spot loan scams and what to do if you come across one is important. We constantly update our information to include the most relevant military news. There is something for everyone here and everything is free to users.

From our extensive job board to our virtual job fair, we offer a multitude of resources for military and veteran job seekers. Surf our directory of employers that consists of over 30,000 employers, read the latest job tips and columns written
by job experts or post a job yourself by signing up as an employer. Along with career and finance articles, MilitaryConnection.com offers a great amount of informational resources on education benefits for military members, veterans and their families, like the Post 9/11 GI Bill. Check out our scholarship directory for the latest scholarship opportunities available to military and veterans. For all your military needs, visit MilitaryConnection.com, your “go-to” site for everything military.

How to Avoid Advance-Fee Loan Scams

OTHER LINKS

VETERANS