In today’s digital age, instant loan disbursements have become the new normal. Fintech brands have experienced significant growth in recent years, especially during the pandemic, when people have adapted faster than ever to digital money transactions. In addition, more and more people have trained and taken out loans from banks and NBFCs for one reason or another. The best part about online loans is that there is a vast plethora of options available and the borrower can easily assess the interest rates offered by different fintech companies.

Another major advantage of obtaining loans online is that the process is better streamlined with limited paperwork and offers the benefit of in-home service. Moreover, you can choose from a wide category of loans such as personal loans, medical loans, travel loans, home loans, car loans and more.

While the process of obtaining a loan has been made digital and simplified, it is also important to know some important guidelines so that you can get the most out of your loan provider.

Make sure the Fintech platform is genuine
A digital lending platform can take many forms. For example, it could be an independent lending platform registered as an NBFC, bank, or organization in partnership with a bank or NBFC. The key here is to verify and verify that the lending entity is registered as an NBFC. You can choose to get a loan from a bank, the NBFC, or an entity in partnership with one of the two. These are safe and secure options for a borrower.

If you come across a lending platform that does not display their NBFC license number on their website, it is best to stay away from such sites. No matter how attractive the loan offers or the interest rate, these are not safe options for you. Also make sure that your bank / NBFC is registered with the central bank or state level authorities as they are the ones who provide the license to offer digital loans to these entities. If you can’t find a genuine platform based on these two very crucial criteria, your best bet is to avoid sharing your personal information and bank details with them online.

Loan approval without KYC
With the Aadhaar introduced into the country, we have all been tied to an identity card that functions as an authentic document of our identity. Therefore, all credible lending platforms verify your Aadhaar information and perform KYC online to ensure transparency is maintained on both ends. Therefore, if a digital platform offers to give you a loan without KYC, it is inappropriate and there is a chance that it is a scam that can lead to identity theft or financial fraud. resulting in huge losses. It is better to strictly avoid such platforms which do not perform KYC before disbursing the loan.

Avoid hidden fees
Some digital lending platforms charge unnecessary hidden charges on your loan, such as late submission fees for late payment of installments. Some use a manipulative methodology with fluctuations in interest which are totally unethical and create unnecessary burden for the borrower. Late submission fees are a popular scam, where people end up paying 2-3% more for no reason. Therefore, be careful when taking out loans and read the documents carefully.

Read the documents carefully
As already suggested, it is very important to read the offer documents which include the duration of the plan, the interest rates and the terms and conditions of your loan policy. It’s the best way to stay safe from fraud, unnecessary hassle and fees