Nothing brings a smile on your face faster than a cash injection after a financial dry spell. Nowadays, online lenders offer quick loans through websites to meet customers’ needs. Most of these websites require important information such as proof of employment and bank details, after which money is transferred directly into your account usually before the end of the day. However, you can’t help but wonder if there is a price to pay for such convenience and unfortunately there is.
It is hard to ignore the hordes of advertisements online today, so naturally the first challenge of the consumer is to pick a legitimate website among loan sites. Clicking on the wrong site and submitting personal information can end up in disaster. Your details can easily be sold to third parties or even worse, used for fraudulent activities. This is why lending websites should be approached with caution.
What if you do your research and find a reputable, widely-used website? Conducting research is a smart move but it still doesn’t guarantee your safety. You can receive your payday loan but you still have to consider whether or not your personal details will remain confidential. Some websites include a privacy contract and in some cases, these agreements can be quite vague.
Besides your personal data being sold or misused, there is also the danger of giving online lenders power over your credit record. If for any reason you fail to pay back the amount with interest, the lending company can use your information to tarnish your credit score. A bad credit record will affect your future financial transactions. A small payday loan you received in a matter of hours can lead to you being denied substantial loans from your bank for years.
Most people are confident in their ability to pay back payday loans, especially because the amount is usually low. However, it is this confidence that leads people to throw caution to the wind and ignore fundamental details of the terms and conditions. Most lending websites charge ridiculously high interest which means you will have to pay back much more than what you borrowed. This has the potential to start a vicious cycle of borrowing and repaying which could go on for longer than you expected.
Another condition that could keep you in the loan trap is the period of time you’re given to pay back the loan. Payment periods can be as short as two weeks and if you don’t deliver on your part of the agreement, your credit record could be in serious trouble.
Regardless of how convenient payday loan websites may be, failure to comply with the agreement terms has heavy consequences. If you are absolutely confident that you can pay back the amount and have taken necessary precautions, borrowing money this way is an option. However, it is much safer to ask for an advance from your boss, or a loan from family and friends, or your local bank. Better yet, keep a healthy savings account so you can have access to risk-free funds.