Are online loans safe? That’s a question many people ask since these loans are relatively new compared to other loan types. Yet, according to Esperian, personal loans, including online offerings, are one of the fastest growing ways to borrow. Unsecured (no collateral) personal loan borrowing increased 33.2% in 2022, while credit card and mortgage debt fell.

So what’s the attraction to personal online loans? Is it safe to apply for one of these loans online? What are the advantages of applying for loans online versus in-person? Besides that, how do you differentiate a good online lender from a less desirable one? Let’s take a look.

Advantages of Online Loans

Online lenders distinguish themselves from traditional lenders in many ways that can make what they offer very appealing to borrowers. The following are the most common reasons people choose to borrow online.

Focused Offerings

Online lenders tend to target specific borrowers that traditional lenders often overlook. Consequently, they usually only offer one type of loan and streamline the loans they offer to suit the customer needs.

As an example, some lenders offer online installment loan with bad credit. Others provide loans to those who earn money through pensions, self-employment, or government benefits.

Some personal online loans are restricted to certain uses, but many are available for almost any reason. Common uses include for car or home repairs, emergency expenses, moving costs, medical expenses, and major purchases. Some lenders even offer personal loans for small business startup or education.

No Office Visits

The most obvious advantage of applying for a loan online is convenience. You don’t need to take time out of your busy day to visit an office. You can complete the entire loan process from the comfort of your home or office. Consequently, you can get a loan faster and usually with less complication too.

The process usually starts with a brief online application form. You provide the lender with basic personal information and then submit it for consideration. Some lenders require paperwork to verify the information provided, even though they operate online. Others embrace technology, so you don’t need to upload or email documents. As a result, you do less work.

Less Paperwork

Traditional lenders and some online lenders love paperwork. Whether it’s copies of your pay stubs, a letter from your employer, or an income statement, most in-person lenders want documents to verify the information you provide.

On the other hand, good online lenders tend to use automated verification processes. The most common is digital income verification through authorized bank statements. All data is heavily encrypted and verification occurs almost instantly. As a result, your loan application moves along quickly and you don’t need to deal with paperwork.

Automated Loan Process

Online lenders rely heavily on technology. As a result, good lenders use state-of-the-art encryption to protect your data and their reputation. They also use automated processes so they can make a quick decision.

This reliance on technology also allows them to release funds far faster than most traditional lenders. From start to finish, online loans can take hours, rather than days or weeks. Of course, this all depends on the lender you choose. Just because a lender operates online, it doesn’t mean they have a streamlined process.

Less Stringent Requirements

Mainstream lenders tend to only offer loans to creditworthy applicants. Even then, it can be difficult for some to meet their stringent requirements.

Conversely, almost anyone can access safe online loans if they look for an appropriate lender. First-time borrowers, pensioners, students, and those with poor credit can easily access safe loans online. It’s just a matter of finding a reputable online lender that meets your needs.

No Fees

Since online lenders cut out administrative clutter, they may offer safe online loans without fees. That’s certainly not the case with all online lenders and not with many in-person lenders either.

Many charge an origination fee for setting up your account and prepayment penalties if you want to pay more than your usual payments. Read the fine print so you don’t end up paying more than you should.

You can read more on the differences between applying for loans online vs. in person if you want to compare them more closely.

Finding Safe Lenders & Safe Loans Online

According to Consumer Affairs, borrowing online is safe and acceptable as long as you work with a legitimate lender. That’s because legitimate online lenders must follow the same rules and regulations as brick-and-mortar lenders.

So, how do you separate good lenders from bad ones? It’s not that hard, providing you check the following:

Are They Licensed?

One sure sign a lender is legit is when they have a license in your state. Lenders and loan brokers must register in all areas of the U.S. and those with licenses are willing to undergo the scrutiny of regional authorities. If the lender isn’t licensed, there’s no guarantee they’ll follow state legislation and it could be risky for you to provide them with your sensitive personal data.

Most licensed lenders refer to their license on their website. If you can’t find any information there, you can contact your state banking regulator to ensure the company is in good standing.

Do They Have Good Online Reviews?

There’s no better way to check whether a lender is legit and good to work with than through online reviews. They can tell you how safe it is to apply for a loan online and provide insider information into how the company treats their clients.

However, you may find some online lenders have few reviews, because this is a relatively new lending market. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use them, but you definitely want to check for the following safeguards before you do.

Is Their Website Encrypted?

By now, any legitimate company knows they need an encrypted website to conduct business safely. Look for the padlock symbol on your address bar or check the URL starts with https://, not http://.

This ensures the connection between your web bowser and the website is encrypted which prevents third-parties from eavesdropping or intercepting your communications.

Any lender that can’t bother with this level of protection should be avoided. They’re not interested in securing your digital data and could either be a fly by night lender or a scam artist.

Do They Use a Preapproval Process?

Any good online lender should offer a preapproval process. This allows you to see what they’re offering, without lowering your credit score.

If the lender doesn’t use preapproval or tell you they use a soft credit inquiry, they use a hard credit inquiry. This can lower your credit score by up to 12 points. This reduction can remain for up to 2 years on your credit report too.

Red Flags When You’re Looking for Safe Loans Online

Unfortunately, not all online lenders are legit or desirable. Fortunately, you can avoid problems if you steer away from any lender that does the following:

  1. Uses high pressure tactics to get you to commit to the loan. A good lender provides you with plenty of time to read the loan contract and is available to answer any questions you might have. You are not obligated to sign a loan contract if you don’t feel comfortable with the terms.
  2. Asks you for money upfront. A good lender does not ask you for money to cover your application or anything else. You should pay your loan payments, and nothing else.
  3. Unsolicited calls. Once you’ve received a response from the lender, it’s up to you whether you take out the loan. If the lender starts calling you or sending you endless emails, look elsewhere and block their calls.

Bottom Line on Safe Online Loans

So, is it safe to apply for a loan online? Yes, providing you do your homework and choose a legitimate lender. The lender should be registered in your state and have an encrypted website. A good lender also provides a 1-800 number for in-person customer service so you can talk to an actual person.

Generally, online loans are more convenient. You don’t need to visit an office and some lenders use digital income verification too. That means you don’t need to upload or scan documents, even though you’re applying for an online loan.

Another clear advantages of applying for loans online compared to applying through a brick-and-mortar lender is speed. When you choose the right lender, you can get cash fast, sometimes as early as today.

Before you make a decision, check out the details of the loans you’re considering carefully. The loan should meet your needs and offer convenience and speed as well as options that fit your budget.

Installment loans online are the most common offering, but read the fine print. Some lenders only deal in payday loans, which have very short repayment terms and higher interest rates.

For those living in Missouri, FlexMoney offers online cash advance loans of up to $2,000, with 12 months to repay. We’re a licensed Missouri lender. You’ll need a steady source of recurring income and an active account with an American bank or credit union to qualify.

We make online borrowing fast, safe, and convenient. If you’re looking for safe online loans, it doesn’t get much easier or more secure than borrowing through FlexMoney.