Are Online Payday Loans Safe?
Online payday loans are a quick way to get money in your bank account when you need to cover expenses before your next paycheck. If you’re interested in a payday loan, don’t overlook the importance of safety and security.
How to know if you're applying for safe payday loans
Since you’ll have to provide your financial details when you apply for an online payday loan, security is key. Here’s how to ensure your financial application is secure.
1. Look for ‘https’ in the URL
The easiest way to check for online security when you apply for an online payday loan is to look for ‘https.’ Having an 's' after 'http' in the URL ensures the safety of data when it’s shared. It’s a must for payday loan lenders and other businesses that request and store sensitive financial data.
Bottom line: You should never submit any personal information to a site that doesn’t start with ‘https.’
2. Check for a lock in the address bar
While ‘https’ indicates that a site is secure, a lock icon in the address bar signifies that any data you send will be encrypted. What does this mean? It means when your data is encrypted, it’s protected from being stolen for fraud, and can give you much-needed peace of mind.
Be sure to check for a lock in the address bar and only apply for a personal loan on a website that has one.
3. Confirm the business is reputable
Not all lenders offer safe, secure payday loans. In fact, some of them disregard safety altogether. Before you apply for a payday loan, do your research to make sure the lender is not only reputable but also prioritizes safety.
To determine if a lender is reputable, you can read online reviews and explore their ratings on websites like Google, Trustpilot, and the Chamber of Commerce. On Trustpilot, for example, Advance America has more than 80,000 5-star reviews from satisfied customers, and an overall rating of 4.8 stars! We also have over 200,000 positive reviews on Google!
In addition to a history of secure and fair transactions, the lender should clearly list their physical address and contact information on their website. It’s also important to double-check that your lender is licensed by the state in which they’re located.
4. Look for a direct lender
In most cases, safe online payday loans come from direct lenders. Direct lenders handle every aspect of the process on their own.
Unlike loan brokers (loan connection services) who connect borrowers to multiple lenders, direct lenders give you the option to limit the sharing of your data. They keep your information safe and secure internally.
Potential payday loan scams to watch out for
Now that you know what to watch out for with safe payday loans, let's look at how to spot a potential scam.
Lenders reaching out to you
When you apply for an online payday loan, you must enter personal information, such as your Social Security number and email address. Once you enter your email address, the lender will have your information on file and can send you notifications and promotional emails.
While this isn't anything to worry about because you’ve been a customer with this lender, it is worrisome if a different lender reaches out to you. In fact, it could be a form of email fraud, known as phishing, where a fraudster contacts you offering a payday loan.
Receiving emails from third-party lenders isn't always a sign of a scam, but it can be a red flag. You should always research the company from whom the email originated to ensure they're a reputable lender before clicking on any links or applying for a loan through an unsolicited email.
Fake debt collectors
In addition to receiving scam emails from fake lenders, you can also get emails and phone calls from people posing as debt collectors. They may say that you still owe money on a previous loan and that you have to pay it immediately or that a partial payment is due. However, thanks to the Fair Debt Collections Protections Act, debt collectors must provide the following information when inquiring about a supposed debt:
- The creditor's name
- How much you owe
- The name of the original creditor
- Information about disputing the debt
If they don't offer this information or if they don't have any affiliation with your original lender, it's likely a scam!
Asking for upfront payments
It's important to understand that payday loans are a type of unsecured loan. In other words, you don't have to make a deposit or offer anything up as collateral in order to receive the loan. So, if a prospective lender tells you they need a down payment before they can give you a loan, it's a scam that you want no part of.
Asking for alternative payment methods
Finally, legitimate providers of safe payday loans only take payments through checks, credit cards, and bank account transfers. Therefore, if a supposed lender requests an upfront payment or loan repayment in the form of gift cards or apps like Paypal and Venmo, the request is a scam.
Is your Social Security number safe to supply for online loan applications?
Most payday loan lenders require you to disclose your Social Security number. This allows them to help confirm your identity and prevent fraud.
Before you input your Social Security number in an online application, check for the ‘https’ and lock in the address bar. Also, review their official affiliations to make sure they’re a legitimate company that will keep your personal data secure.
Is it safe to supply your bank details for online loan applications?
If you’d like an online payday loan directly deposited into your account, you’ll need to supply your bank account details. These include your routing and checking account numbers.
Don’t reveal your account details unless you’re sure your data will be encrypted. A professional affiliation, the ‘https,’ and lock icon will let you know that your data will be secured throughout your transaction.
Advance America provides secure online payday loans
If you’re asking yourself which online payday loans are safe, check out Advance America. Advance America is the premier lender for safe online payday loans, with a history of safe lending since 1997.
For over 25 years, we’ve served as a leading direct lender. During that time, we've earned over 80,000 5-star ratings on Trustpilot. Whether you apply online or in-store, our loan applications include robust security and encryption to ensure your personal data is as secure as possible.
For more information on our safety and security, take a close look at our Privacy and Terms.
How to apply for a safe payday loan
To apply for safe online payday loans with Advance America and receive your funds as soon as today, follow these steps.
1. Collect your information
Before you start the application process, make sure you’re able to provide the following:
- Social Security number
- Active email address
- Active and valid checking account
- Source of income
2. Fill out an application
Visit AdvanceAmerica.net to begin the online application. You can also visit a physical branch if you prefer. Once you’re ready to complete the application, you’ll need to:
- Provide your contact information.
- Tell us about your income information. We accept many types of income, including government benefits.
- Share your banking details, including your checking number and routing number. (Prepaid cards are not accepted).
- Submit the application.
- Receive an instant approval decision.
- Accept your loan offer a get money as soon as today. Online approvals before 10:30 ET (M-F) are typically funded to your bank account by 5 PM ET the same day. Approvals after 10:30 ET are typically funded in the morning the next banking day.
Fortunately, safe and secure payday loans do exist. They’re a great short-term financing option that can help you out until you get your next paycheck. Apply online or visit your nearest Advance America branch today!
