Expert Counsel

Loan apps may seem like a quick solution for cash, but they often come with serious risks. Here are 10 important tips to keep in mind when dealing with online loan apps:

1. Only Download Loan Apps from Official Sources

Never download loan apps from sources outside the Google Play Store. Downloading from unofficial sites increases the risk of cyberbullying, as these apps may misuse your personal information, including contacting people in your address book without consent.

2. Be Prepared for Harassment if You're Late on Payments

Even if you’re just a day late, you can expect to receive a barrage of aggressive and unpleasant messages, particularly on WhatsApp. If the harassment escalates, don't hesitate to block the sender to protect your peace of mind.

3. Extremely Short Repayment Periods

Most loan apps offer repayment periods between 6 and 14 days, making it difficult for borrowers to meet their payment deadlines. This short repayment window often traps people in a cycle of debt

4. High Overdue Interest Rates

If you miss a payment, expect daily overdue interest rates between 5% and 7%. These high rates make it incredibly easy to spiral further into debt.

5. Reputation Damage is Their Leverage

Once a loan app has publicly shamed or tarnished your reputation by sending messages to your contacts, their goal has often been achieved. At this point, some borrowers choose not to repay the loan since the damage is already done. You can also generate a disclaimer to counter any false claims made by the app.

6. Don’t Borrow from Other Loan Apps to Repay Your Debts

Taking out new loans from other apps to settle existing debts will only worsen your financial situation. This strategy leads to a deeper cycle of borrowing and repaying.

7. Use Truecaller to Block Harassing Calls

Truecaller is an effective tool for screening and blocking calls from loan apps. This will help you avoid unnecessary stress and harassment from lenders.

8. Break the Cycle by Stopping Borrowing Altogether

The best way to escape the clutches of loan sharks is to stop borrowing entirely. It may be difficult, but cutting off access to these predatory loans is key to regaining control of your finances.

9. Block and Report Harassers

If you receive harassing messages on WhatsApp, block the sender and report them directly to WhatsApp and the Google Play Store. This helps prevent others from becoming victims of the same predatory practices.

10. Avoid Loan Apps Altogether

Loan apps are often designed to trap you in a cycle of debt, ruin your finances, and exploit your personal information. The safest option is to steer clear of them entirely and seek more secure financial alternatives.

By following these tips, you can protect yourself from the damaging effects of predatory loan apps and safeguard your financial well-being.

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