Living in the digital world affords people a lot of extra conveniences. Bills that used to be mailed can now be paid online, and shopping can be done in your PJs from the comfort of your own home. The possibilities of the online world are endless—books, music, jobs and more are all available with the click of the button. In fact, you can even fill out an application for a loan.
The digital world has a flip side, a darker more insidious criminal element. As the internet grows—and more companies use technology to collect records, payments and personal information—so does digital crime. Hardly a week goes by without hearing about someone you know having their identity compromised, their email hacked, or one of many other various and sundry issues happening. And it leads to the question when you’re giving your name, address, social security number and bank account info: How safe is this site?
Online Credit and Loan Applications
How often are you encouraged by a company to fill out the information before setting foot in the door? How many car companies ask you to get pre-approved on your auto loan online before coming in to shop? How many places take your information online?
The only way to stay safe is to do a little research, and even then it’s only increasing your safety, not guaranteeing. But to increase it you have to get the correct information. Most people are guilty of filling out online forms without checking the security of a site. They don’t know a secure page/site from and unsecure page/site, and they don’t know the latest tools available to make things safer. All of this is essential so you can avoid the sometimes costly mistake of having your identity and money compromised or stolen.
Are there Sites that are Just Safer?
The answer is undoubtedly yes. Some companies have the money and resources to produce more secure sites, especially in terms of online applications. Some sites to trust over others include:
- Banks – Banks deal in money, and people don’t take kindly to their money getting stolen, compromised or misplaced. Filling out a loan application on a bank site is typically more secure.
- Sites that start the URL with ‘https’ – Https and http are not equal. That little ‘s’ makes a huge difference; and that difference is security. Https means the site has a SSL Certificate, which must be verified and validated, and has stronger security in place.
- The site has a seal – On some sites you’ll see seals from Norton or McAfee, two of the major players in the online security and antivirus world. These seals mean people are invested in trying to keep your information safe.
Is it Even a Company?
Fake company sites are pretty easy to set up, and even with the internet watchdogs out there, some of these illegal information collectors slip through the cracks. Do some research on potential loan or credit application companies. If you can’t find any information on them at all, or there are clear warnings like reviews that say, “SCAM AHEAD,” then go for a company that has legit reviews and information. Plus, there are other good signs to look for to determine if a company is real:
- They have a privacy policy
- They have all their information clearly listed, and when you call the number, you get the actual company
- Their terms aren’t completely unbelievable; otherwise known as too good to be true
Other Odds and Ends to Know Before You Fill Out the Form
It’s important to go with what you know. Most people aren’t even aware of their online observations. For example, most of us know that we’re taken to a secure page to fill out info, but forget to look for it when we’re online filling out an application. In the future, just be more aware that you’re being taken to a secure page. Being asked to confirm by email, fill in numbers or letters from a text box, and other little things add up to a more secure site as well. For the most part, you’re fairly safe filling out an online application form, even through a dealership site. Just note how they handle it and what security is in place before you put your digital signature on the line.
The good news is, the Shabana Motors financing application is secure and safe. Click the link below to get started with your used car financing today.
