Payday installment loans are small, short term loans that can be conveniently obtained using an online application. The most common repayment method is via your bank account, where you agree to let the lender take the money from your account to repay the loan, known as a continuous payment authority (CPA). If there are not sufficient funds in the account to repay the payday installment loan on the agreed date, the lender may keep asking your bank for all or part of the money and also add charges for late payments.
Today, payday installment loan fraud is becoming increasingly rampant because of inadequate security checks by the lender and the borrower. Unless you can prove that it is not you who has taken out the loan, you may be obligated for the debt plus interest and possibly other charges.
Therefore, it is important to maintain your privacy and security when applying online for a payday installment loan to avoid identity theft and fraud. However, it is surprisingly easy to inadvertently give away your personal information online, especially through email, on social networking sites or on websites requesting information from you. In addition, certain organizations hold information about you which enables you to carry out transactions with them. These include government departments, financial institutions such as banks, insurance companies, retailers, and even search engines. They are all subject to the Data Protection Act, but you still need to be vigilant about their use of your data.
The risks involved during online application of payday installment loans include any of the following:
· Identity theft
· Blackmail/extortion (usually for unpaid loans)
· Using awareness of your activities and movements to act against you
How Your Security and Privacy can be compromised:
· Unencrypted email and most website interactions can be monitored, including by your employer and your ISP.
· Using unsecured WiFi networks – both in the home/office and when out and about.
· Using unencrypted links for sensitive communications
· Not using secure websites when banking or making online payments, including those for purchases.
· Not using strong passwords, not regularly changing passwords, not using passwords at all or revealing passwords to other people.
· Not using a secure email or webmail account.
· Using a work email account for personal email.
· Staying logged in to a website or email account when the computer/smartphone/tablet is going to be used by somebody else.
· Spyware and viruses
· Physical keystroke loggers attached to the keyboard cable.
· Not storing personal or financial documents securely.
· Not shredding unwanted personal or financial documents.
In order to maintain your security and privacy during online application of payday installment loans:
· Ensure you always have effective and updated antivirus/antispyware software running.
· In a public or work environment, check your computer physically for any unusual devices that may be plugged in.
· Use secure websites when choosing an online payday installment loan lender.
· Use strong passwords and change your passwords regularly. Never reveal them to other people.
· Avoid using a work email address for personal use. Instead, have a separate, private email address for private business.
· Make sure your home/office WiFi network is secured.
· Store personal and financial documents securely and shred unwanted personal or financial documents.
· Be careful to whom you disclose personal information.
· Be wary of disclosing personal information on a work or personal website.
If you have been a Victim of a Payday Installment Loan Scam:
· Check your bank transactions carefully so that you can find out as soon as possible if money has been taken from your account to repay a loan that you did not authorize. If you spot any suspicious transactions, please notify your bank immediately and the loan company involved.
· If you are pursued by a lender for a payday installment loan you do not owe, write to the lender and the debt collection agency, to make it clear why payment is being refused. If you do not receive a satisfactory response, file a complaint with the Financial Ombudsman Service for a free and independent dispute resolution.
· Report the case immediately to the State Authorities.
You will never know the exact time when you will be a victim of fraud and scams. Online applications cannot guarantee 100% security of your information. So, it is important to stop, look, and think carefully before signing up.