Have you ever watched movies that are full of suspense? These films will give you gnawing anxiety and are comparable to the creeping fear portrayed in Repossession by Gerald Chew. It’s similar to the ghastly terror that many people have caught trapped by unauthorised money lenders in Singapore.
But, unlike Gerald Chew’s reel life, real life does not always offer the cinematic twist of taste.
Now, who wants drama? Nobody likes it. So, imagine a life with more control.
A financial life that does not make you feel like a fish caught in a shark’s jaws. Is that even possible? With the proper knowledge and vigilance, yes.
So, it’s time to pull back the curtains on the shadowy realm of Singapore’s unauthorised lenders.
The Coin’s Dark Side: Recognising Unauthorised Money Lenders
Whenever you see a masked villain, you cannot help but feel some fear. But, there’s a villain that’s much scarier than those wearing a mask.
These unlicensed money lenders often bend seamlessly into the city state’s landscape, promising to offer personal loans and more. Thus, it makes them a bit harder to spot.
You can compare them to the deceptive antagonist in any movie, except they won’t give you an Oscar-worthy screenplay to disclose their intentions. These loan sharks are misleading and have the tactics to deceive vulnerable prey.
So, how can an innocent borrower like yourself identify these lurking predators?
- No registration: These lenders have no trace of legal registration with the Ministry of Law’s list of licensed money lenders.
- Aggressive marketing: They break the law of lending advertising by frequently contacting their prey with intrusive phone calls, text messages, or emails.
- High-interest rates: Rates that these loan sharks initially grant may seem like they’re Mother Theresa. But don’t be fooled. It’s all an act, as they’ll impose higher rates and hidden charges to ruin your experience altogether.
The Real and Reel in Unauthorised Money Lenders Repossession
If you have watched the movie, the unfolding chaos was exceptionally tense. The protagonist’s life spirals out of control, thus dragging him deeper into further despair.
Doesn’t it strike a chord with an illegal lender’s prey? Unauthorised money lenders’ victims go through the same ordeal.
It’s an unnerving parallel that screams only one yet most particular message: avoid loan sharks, the protagonist should have done to evade the dreaded auction.
Techniques Unauthorised Money Lenders Adopted
The dreaded unauthorised money lenders are not unlike illusionists with their bag of tricks. It’s a magic show where a trusting borrower like you will forfeit more than only a rabbit in a hat.
You have to be wary the moment you experience a particular modus operandi, which includes the following:
- Instant approval: Illegal lenders bypass the usual checks and balances to offer loans faster than a cheetah chasing its prey. The bait will always be the quick and easy solution to your financial woes.
But do you genuinely think it’s worth being part of the high-speed chase where you could end up as the prey?
- No credit check: Credit scores and background is imperative, especially when you have plans to get a loan from banks or licensed lenders in Singapore. Once you have a bad credit history can feel like a heavy chain holding you back from any possible financial help.
Loan sharks know this and exploit such vulnerability. They’ll initially promise personal loans or other financial products without checking the credit – a seemingly ideal solution. But don’t forget that there are no free lunches, and they’ll charge you more than you bargained for.
- Hidden charges: Illegal lenders are adept at sliding additional fees and costs under the radar. They’re like a subplot you never saw coming in a movie.
Before you know it, the initially small debt you discussed with them transforms into a financial Godzilla.
Sidestepping the Pitfall Trap by Unauthorised Lenders
Now that you have become fully aware of their tricks, how should you keep yourself from falling into their pitfall trap?
Believe it or not, it’s somewhat manageable. It’s easier than evading the villain’s film, and here’s how:
- Do your homework: Verify the lender’s credentials with the Ministry of Law’s Registry of Moneylenders. The Registry have the necessary details and information of all licensed lenders in Singapore, who can grant the best lending experience like no other.
Don’t only read the book’s cover. You must always dive into the pages to know the facts.
- “Too-Good-To-Be-True”: Loan sharks have a way of luring in their prey. It all starts with their sweet-nothings of loan promises that glow brighter than a diamond under the sun.
You must think twice once you hear all these “too-good-to-be-true” pledges. Don’t fall for it.
An offer that appears to be too generous, it likely is.
- Resist pressure: Harassment is a weapon many unauthorised lenders use. If you are being rushed or harassed, take a breather and pause.
Be decisive and stand your ground. Honest and regulated financial institutions preserve professional decorum.
These are the most effective methods you can do to avoid illegal lenders. What happens when you report a suspected or possible unauthorised lender?
The Ministry of Law, through the Registry and Singapore Police Force, will penalise all guilty parties as the law deems fit. The Registry also encourages borrowers to seek assistance regarding credit counselling.
A Stitch in Time: Legal and Supportive Extents in Singapore
The sunny city-state is no silent spectator to the shadowy menace. Singapore also imposes stringent ordinances and support systems as it honours its laws and regulations.
- Strict laws: Unauthorised lending is no less than a heist and acquires such treatment. Culprits can face fines of up to $300,000, jail terms lasting up to 4 years, and even six times caning.
- Supportive measures: Organisations like Credit Counselling Singapore (CCS) or legal lenders like Accredit are like your big brother, guiding those lost in the maze of financial and debt crisis. It’s a situation that mainly happens when they become loan sharks’ prey.
Such institutions present a helping hand to those grappling with the repercussions of dealing with unlawful lenders.
The Hero Within the Face of Financial Threats
In the movie Repossession, the hero could have been vigilant and informed. The same holds a fact in real life. Knowledge and awareness are your best weapon against unauthorised lenders.
Can you dodge the nightmare that the movie depicts? Indeed, with information, alertness, and the support of ethical institutions like Accredit Licensed Money Lender, you can walk the monetary tightrope with assurance and balance.
Loan sharks are comparable to any movie’s antagonist. Their reign will only end when you choose light over darkness, awareness over ignorance, and safety over risky shortcuts.
Choose only the most reliable licensed lenders than illegal ones. So, go forth and take a loan from licensed lenders only, gain fair rates charges, and be protected by the law. It’s the twist everyone wants for their real-life story and yours too!
