There are times when everyone needs extra money for the unexpected or to help with bills. If you haven’t gathered enough savings, you might be tempted to take out a personal loan, but you need to beware which lender you choose. With the government introducing a bank levy this year, more people may turn to alternative lenders.

It is all the more reason to read the small print to save you money and a potential problem later down the line. Here are some tips on avoiding getting scammed with your personal loan.

Your Credit Score

Before you start, it is a good idea to check out your credit score to get an idea about your financial health. It should give you a good idea of how likely you are to obtain credit, and where to get it from. The average person carries $3,083 worth of debt on their credit card, which can adversely affect your ability to get further credit.

Who to choose?

There are various ways you can find the right personal loan for you. You can approach your bank and ask them although they will only offer you a loan at their own interest rates. You can also look online for a company that compares the best loans available to you such as MONEYBANKER. These companies will take your details and see which lender can help you and who has the best interest rates.

Interest Rates

One thing you need to do while you are applying is to check the interest rates for each loan. The loan might sound good and they might approve you, but the interest rate might be crippling to your finances so make sure you can afford the payment and the interest rate before you decide.

Small Print

Along with the interest rate, you should also check out the small print with the loan. Some loans have high fees for late payments and other penalties, so this also needs to be considered. Although you won’t anticipate paying your repayment late, if something unexpected happens then a late fee can quickly snowball.

Personal loans are a great way to pay for home improvements, medical bills and other essentials, however, you need to be sure that you are getting the best deal you can. Your credit score will reflect the rate of interest you are charged and also the lenders you can work with. So, make sure that you check all the details before you commit to any agreement.