Quick answer: Major warning signs include unexpected loan messages, guaranteed approval, urgency, advance fees, gift-card or cryptocurrency payment demands, identity inconsistencies and requests for unnecessary data.
Unexpected contact
A message about a loan you never requested may be phishing. Do not use the callback number or link in the message.
Payment before funding
A demand to pay “insurance,” “tax,” “processing” or “release” charges before receiving a promised loan is a classic advance-fee pattern.
Pressure and secrecy
Scammers create urgency and discourage independent verification.
Unsafe payment methods
Gift cards, cryptocurrency and person-to-person transfers offer limited recovery options.