5 Questions To Ask Before Finalizing a Cash Advance

According to some research, 70% of Americans are looking for other jobs that can help them supplement their income to battle inflation.

However, some people might need to take a cash advance if they need cash quickly. 

Before you take a cash advance, there are a few things that you should ask. Keep reading to discover what to consider before you get a small loan. 

1. Are You a Broker or Direct Lender?

This is one of the first questions that you need to ask to determine if the direct lender or broker is actually honest and trustworthy. You’ll also have a better idea of where the cash advance is coming from. 

Brokers normally operate without very much insight, and there are many brokers that follow unethical practices. They will make money off of commissions, and they might not be the best option.

However, direct lenders will give you the money directly without needing to go through a middleman. They have more rules and restrictions to follow, and you could be safer going with a direct lender. 

When you do create a contract for the cash advance, then you’ll also want to make sure that the company name is on the contract. You don’t want to make a contract with the broker who is just working for a commission. 

If you do work with a broker, make sure that you find someone who is actually ethical to work with. They’re paid more to sell a cash advance than a loan, so they will try to sell you on the most expensive option. 

Regardless, you should make sure that you research the background of the lender or broker. Take time to read reviews and see what other customers have said about borrowing from these companies. 

2. Are They Trustworthy?

Whether you go with a lender or a broker, they should be trustworthy. You should check places like the Chambers of Commerce or the Better Business Bureau to understand more about the lender and their practices. 

They’ll give you information and history on the lender to see if they are following good business practices. You’ll also want to find a lender who will protect your personal information. 

You’ll have to submit sensitive information for the cash advance, and you want to make sure that that information doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. If you’re submitting an application online, make sure that you double-check the web address. For example, you should make sure that the address starts with “https.” If it does, that means that all of the information on there is encrypted.

There should also be an icon of a lock. This tells you that the page is secure and isn’t counterfeited. 

3. Will It Affect my Credit Score?

A cash advance is different from a loan, but taking out a cash advance could still affect your credit score. If you pay back your cash advance according to the terms that you agreed to, sometimes lenders will report the successful payments to credit agencies to help you improve your credit score. 

But not all lenders will report this repayment to a credit agency. If you are taking out a cash advance in the hopes that you can improve your credit score, then you’ll want to find a lender that will report full payments to the right credit agencies.

4. What Is the Cost of the Cash Advance?

When you ask about the cash advance, you’ll want to know the total cost. That includes the amount that you’ll be borrowing, the cost of any fees, and also any interest. 

There are all kinds of loan products on the market, and comparing their cost of them can help you narrow down which option is best for you. One of the most common cost factors includes the annual percentage rate (APR). These rates will vary depending on the economy, lender, and credit score. 

However, the interest rate and APR can actually mean two different things. Some lenders refer to the APR and interest rate as the same thing, so it’s important to understand how your lender will distinguish between the two. 

Some unethical lenders will tell you that you have an interest rate of 10%, but then they might have a 50% of the rest of the advance. This can cost you even more money depending on the way the loan is structured. 

5. What Happens If You Pay It Back Early?

When you’re taking out a cash advance, then you’ll want to understand if there are payments for paying it early. Sometimes there are actually discounts if you pay it back early. 

An advance might have no prepayment penalty, which means that you can pay it off at any point without incurring any extra fees. However, that doesn’t mean that you’ll just need to repay the principal. You may need to pay the interest back as well. 

When you take out an advance, this distinction is normally very important. They might have a fixed cost for contracts, which means that you’re including interest. You may need to pay that interest back in full as well. 

However, some advances will charge you fees to just pay the principal early. You should know about all of the fees before you sign any of the contracts for advances. 

Discover More Things to Ask Before You Pick a Cash Advance

These are only a few things to consider before you pick a cash advance, but there are many other things that factor into picking the right lender.

We know that there are many different lenders out there, but we’re here to make it easy for you.

Check out our website to help you find the right lender for a cash advance.