When you are borrowing money, you
want to make sure that your details are kept safe at all times. From the
lender's point of view though, it is equally important that they are able to
verify all applicants' details before making any final decisions. But what
safety checks can you employ when you decide to apply for a payday loan on the
Internet?
Check the site is secure
First and foremost, if you're using
a company for the first time, make sure that their site contains all the usual
security features. The Terms and Conditions as well as the privacy policy
should give you a clear indication of what data they require and how this will
be used.
Also, when you submit your
application you should be taken to a secure connection to do so. This will
provide added protection to ensure that hackers don't access your data. Many
web browsers clearly identify secure areas (often through a pop-up box or
symbol), but the easiest way to know if your details are being protected is to
look at the URL. If it still begins with HTTP:// then there's a good chance it
isn't secure. Alternatively, if it says HTTPS://, then you should be safer.
Look for Consumer Credit Licence and
Company Number
Sometimes you just want to make sure
that the company you're dealing with is legitimate. A very quick way to do this
is to scroll down to the bottom of their homepage and see if they are a
registered company and if they hold a consumer credit licence. By law lenders
and brokers need to show this information clearly on their websites. As well as
providing reassurance, it also gives consumers an opportunity to check up on
companies with the legal bodies.
Search online for reviews
If you're on the Internet looking
for a payday loan, then why not take advantage of search engines to find out
what people are saying about the individual lenders? There are plenty of
independent review sites and financial forums where industry experts and
consumers provide impartial reviews of the services being offered.
Whilst even the best companies will
have a mixture of good and bad reviews, particularly in a field as emotive as
payday loans, it should be easy to determine the average consensus. In cases
where reviews are particularly positive, or indeed negative, you can easily
make up your mind on who you can trust and, more importantly, who you can't.
Contact lenders
If you have particular concerns or
you have a query about how data is handled, you can always contact the lenders
themselves. More often than not they will be able to answer any queries that
you may have and even direct you towards further information if needed. They
may even allow you to apply through a different medium, if you're not
comfortable about sharing your details on the Internet.
You can email, call or even use live
messenger services on some sites, so there are plenty of opportunities for you
to get in touch and clarify any issues. Where contact details aren't immediately
available, you may want to carry out further research on the company or simply
go elsewhere.
So if you are concerned or want to
tread carefully whenever carrying out transactions online, take the time to
carry out a few of your own investigations. This shouldn't take too long
either, it just requires a few quick checks on the Internet or over the phone.
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