You are here: Canadian Council of Better Business Bureaus Scam Information: Advance Fee Loan Scams

Please be aware that it is illegal in both Canada and the United States to ask for money upfront for a loan. Please do not send in the requsted money as you will receive absolutely nothing in return. If you have sent in money or personal information, please read below for more information. *Important* - although these fraudulent companies are asking for upfront money for 'insurance reasons' or 'in order to get the money across the US-Canada border', it is still illegal, and you will not receive your loan. If you have sent in any money or personal information (such as your Social Security Number, Driver's Licence Number, etc.) to any Advance Fee Loan companies, it is vital that you follow this link and fill out the scam form.

During the past two years the office of the Canadian Council of Better Business Bureaus in Ottawa, Canada has received between five to ten calls from victims or near victims of the Advance Fee Loan Scam each day.

In all cases, the profile is the identical except for the "name" of the company and "insurance" provider. The companies are all traced to mail box drops.

All United States consumers who contacted the CCBBB provided personal information including:

... and the list goes on throughout the United States

The small newspaper adds usually sound like this:

IN DEBT, NEED MONEY, $$$ LOANS! LOANS! Toll Free Call 1-800-000-0000. Licence A-12345. Good,Bad, or No Credit.

Advance Fee Loan "Sharks" (Office of the New York State Atorney General)

Canadian Advance Fee Loan Scams Target Florida (Florida Comptroller, Government of the State of Florida)

Education: Advance-Fee Loan Scams (Utah Division of Consumer Protection, Government of the State of Utah)

Protect Yourself Against Advance-fee Loan Scams (Office of the Ohio Attorney General)

Tips For Avoiding Advance-Fee Loan Scams (Federal Trade Commission)

Watch Out for the Advance Fee Loan Danger Zone (FirstGov for Consumers, United States Federal Government)

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