{"id":802159,"date":"2019-08-29T01:00:24","date_gmt":"2019-08-29T05:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/ca\/?p=802159"},"modified":"2026-01-22T14:01:47","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T19:01:47","slug":"business-loan-scams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/ca\/business-loans\/business-loan-scams","title":{"rendered":"Avoid These Business Loan Scams &#038; Compare Legit Lenders"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>If you need a business loan, there are plenty of legit online lenders that can help. Unfortunately, you\u2019ll also need to watch out for business loan scams.<\/p><p>In this guide, we\u2019ll show you some common business loan scams, what to do if you fall victim and which lenders are legit in Canada.<\/p><h3 id=\"lenders\">Which business loan providers are legit?<\/h3><table class=\"luna-table luna-table--responsiveList\"><thead class=\"luna-table__header\"><tr><th style=\"width: 25%; text-align: left;\" scope=\"col\">Business lender<\/th><th style=\"width: 25%; text-align: left;\" scope=\"col\">Loan details<\/th><th style=\"width: 25%; text-align: left;\" scope=\"col\">Why it\u2019s legit<\/th><th style=\"width: 25%; text-align: left;\" scope=\"col\"><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1035133\" title=\"Image: Supplied\" src=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/06\/JourneyCapitalLogo_Supplied_200x100.png\" alt=\"Journey Capital\" width=\"200\" height=\"100\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/06\/JourneyCapitalLogo_Supplied_200x100.png?fit=180 180w, https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/06\/JourneyCapitalLogo_Supplied_200x100.png?fit=360 360w, https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/06\/JourneyCapitalLogo_Supplied_200x100.png?fit=600 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/td><td><ul><li><strong>Loan amount:<\/strong> $10,000 - $500,000<\/li><li><strong>Loan term:<\/strong> 4 - 24 months<\/li><li><strong>APR:<\/strong> 8% - 29%<span class=\"table-popover\" rel=\"popover\" data-content=\"Interest rates shown reflect the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) range currently advertised by the lender and are subject to change anytime, without notice. Finder does not guarantee that the figures shown will continue to be accurate or current. Figures shown are solely intended to be indicative and for general informational purposes only. Confirm the actual rates currently offered with the lender directly. Your exact rate, if any is offered to you, will be determined solely by the lender based on its assessment of your loan application, which is subject to the lender\u2019s terms and conditions and credit criteria.\" title=\"\" data-original-title=\"\"><\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/td><td><ul><li>Has loaned over US $13 billion to businesses globally.<\/li><li>Founded in the US in 2007 and launched in Canada in 2015.<\/li><li>Its US parent company, OnDeck, is BBB accredited with an A+ rating.<\/li><li>Member of the Canadian Lenders Association.<\/li><li>4.9\/5 stars based on over 111 Trustpilot reviews.<\/li><\/ul><\/td><td><section class=\"hero-rates__cta\">\r\n        <div class=\"applylinks CAFBL has-margin-top-small\">\r\n          <a class=\"luna-button luna-button--success luna-button--cta has-margin-bottom-xsmall\" rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/redirect\/ca\/business-loans\/journey-capital-business-loan-ca-secure.html?nb=1&amp;src_country=ca&amp;redirect_tracking_params=%7B%22placement_type%22%3A%22nb-product%22%2C%22product_id%22%3A%22d4f15fa7-db41-4077-a6a1-72672a9fa2a1%22%2C%22product_name%22%3A%22Journey%2BCapital%2BBusiness%2BLoan%22%2C%22offer_id%22%3A%2225005%22%2C%22decorator%22%3A%22GLOBAL.PRODUCT.HERO_BUTTON_DYNAMIC_CTA%22%2C%22niche_code%22%3A%22CAFBL%22%2C%22post_id%22%3A%22802159%22%2C%22post_path%22%3A%22business-loans%252Fbusiness-loan-scams%22%2C%22post_country%22%3A%22ca%22%7D\" target=\"_blank\">\r\n            Go to site\r\n          <\/a>\r\n\r\n        <\/div>\r\n      <\/section><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.finder.com.au\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/03\/AdvanceFundsNetwork_Supplied_450x250.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1054280\" title=\"Image: Supplied\" src=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/03\/AdvanceFundsNetwork_Supplied_450x250.jpg\" alt=\"Advance Funds Network\" width=\"189\" height=\"105\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/03\/AdvanceFundsNetwork_Supplied_450x250.jpg?fit=180 180w, https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/03\/AdvanceFundsNetwork_Supplied_450x250.jpg?fit=360 360w, https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/03\/AdvanceFundsNetwork_Supplied_450x250.jpg?fit=567 567w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 567px) 100vw, 567px\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/a><\/td><td><ul><li><strong>Loan amount:<\/strong> $10,000 - $1,000,000<\/li><li><strong>Loan term:<\/strong> 3 - 24 months<\/li><li><strong>APR:<\/strong> Starting at 8.00%<span class=\"table-popover\" rel=\"popover\" data-content=\"Interest rates displayed are expressed as Annual Percentage Rates (APR). Interest rates are provided by lenders and brokers and are not guaranteed or enforced by Finder. Interest rates will vary depending on the applicants location, credit history, debt level and other circumstances.\" title=\"\" data-original-title=\"More info\"><\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/td><td><ul><li>Has been in business for over 15 years.<\/li><li>Lends to businesses in Canada and the US.<\/li><li>4.9\/5 stars on Google, based on 400+ reviews.<\/li><li>5\/5 stars on Trustpilot, based on 1,600+ reviews.<\/li><\/ul><\/td><td><section class=\"hero-rates__cta\">\r\n        <div class=\"applylinks CAFBL has-margin-top-small\">\r\n          <a class=\"luna-button luna-button--success luna-button--cta has-margin-bottom-xsmall\" rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/redirect\/ca\/business-loans\/advance-funds-network-ca-secure-business-loans.html?nb=1&amp;src_country=ca&amp;redirect_tracking_params=%7B%22placement_type%22%3A%22nb-product%22%2C%22product_id%22%3A%22c2cd7e0f-179a-4393-aa2b-3709c9259481%22%2C%22product_name%22%3A%22Advance%2BFunds%2BNetwork%2BBusiness%2BLoan%22%2C%22offer_id%22%3A%2225982%22%2C%22decorator%22%3A%22GLOBAL.PRODUCT.HERO_BUTTON_DYNAMIC_CTA%22%2C%22niche_code%22%3A%22CAFBL%22%2C%22post_id%22%3A%22802159%22%2C%22post_path%22%3A%22business-loans%252Fbusiness-loan-scams%22%2C%22post_country%22%3A%22ca%22%7D\" target=\"_blank\">\r\n            Go to site\r\n          <\/a>\r\n\r\n        <\/div>\r\n      <\/section><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-938340\" title=\"Image: Supplied\" src=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/08\/MerchantGrowth_supplied_335x80.png\" alt=\"Merchant Growth\" width=\"150\" height=\"36\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/08\/MerchantGrowth_supplied_335x80.png?fit=180 180w, https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/08\/MerchantGrowth_supplied_335x80.png?fit=360 360w, https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/08\/MerchantGrowth_supplied_335x80.png?fit=450 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/td><td><ul><li><strong>Loan amount:<\/strong> $5,000 \u2013 $800,000<\/li><li><strong>Loan term:<\/strong> 6 \u2013 24 months<\/li><li><strong>APR: <\/strong>12.99% \u2013 39.99%<span class=\"table-popover\" rel=\"popover\" data-content=\"Interest rates shown reflect the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) range currently advertised by the lender and are subject to change anytime, without notice. Finder does not guarantee that the figures shown will continue to be accurate or current. Figures shown are solely intended to be indicative and for general informational purposes only. Confirm the actual rates currently offered with the lender directly. Your exact rate, if any is offered to you, will be determined solely by the lender based on its assessment of your loan application, which is subject to the lender\u2019s terms and conditions and credit criteria.\" title=\"\" data-original-title=\"\"><\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/td><td><ul><li>Has funded over 10,000 businesses.<\/li><li>Headquartered in Vancouver and founded in 2009.<\/li><li>Member of the Canadian Lenders Association.<\/li><li>Founder David Gens won the Technopreneur of the Year at the 2023 Canadian SME Small Business Awards<\/li><li>4.8\/5 stars based on over 650 Trustpilot reviews.<\/li><\/ul><\/td><td><section class=\"hero-rates__cta\">\r\n        <div class=\"applylinks CAFBL has-margin-top-small\">\r\n          <a class=\"luna-button luna-button--success luna-button--cta has-margin-bottom-xsmall\" rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/redirect\/ca\/business-loans\/merchant-growth-business-loan-ca-secure.html?nb=1&amp;src_country=ca&amp;redirect_tracking_params=%7B%22placement_type%22%3A%22nb-product%22%2C%22product_id%22%3A%22a7674365-55b5-43a6-b4ad-be0f6200eb3c%22%2C%22product_name%22%3A%22Merchant%2BGrowth%2BBusiness%2BLoan%22%2C%22offer_id%22%3A%2218815%22%2C%22decorator%22%3A%22GLOBAL.PRODUCT.HERO_BUTTON_DYNAMIC_CTA%22%2C%22niche_code%22%3A%22CAFBL%22%2C%22post_id%22%3A%22802159%22%2C%22post_path%22%3A%22business-loans%252Fbusiness-loan-scams%22%2C%22post_country%22%3A%22ca%22%7D\" target=\"_blank\">\r\n            Go to site\r\n          <\/a>\r\n\r\n        <\/div>\r\n      <\/section><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-886160\" title=\"Image: Supplied\" src=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/10\/LoansCanada_Supplied_450x250.jpg\" alt=\"Loans Canada\" width=\"150\" height=\"83\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/10\/LoansCanada_Supplied_450x250.jpg?fit=180 180w, https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/10\/LoansCanada_Supplied_450x250.jpg?fit=360 360w, https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/10\/LoansCanada_Supplied_450x250.jpg?fit=450 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/td><td><ul><li><strong>Loan amount:<\/strong> $500 - $50,000<\/li><li><strong>Loan term:<\/strong> 4 - 60 months<\/li><li><strong>APR:<\/strong> 8.99% - 35.00%<span class=\"table-popover\" rel=\"popover\" data-content=\"Interest rates shown reflect the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) range currently advertised by the lender and are subject to change anytime, without notice. Finder does not guarantee that the figures shown will continue to be accurate or current. Figures shown are solely intended to be indicative and for general informational purposes only. Confirm the actual rates currently offered with the lender directly. Your exact rate, if any is offered to you, will be determined solely by the lender based on its assessment of your loan application, which is subject to the lender\u2019s terms and conditions and credit criteria.\" title=\"\" data-original-title=\"\"><\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/td><td><ul><li>BBB accredited with an A+ rating.<\/li><li>Operating since 2012.<\/li><li>Member of the Canadian Lenders Association.<\/li><li>Has featured in CBC News, the Toronto Star and the Financial Post.<\/li><\/ul><\/td><td><section class=\"hero-rates__cta\">\r\n        <div class=\"applylinks CAFBL has-margin-top-small\">\r\n          <a class=\"luna-button luna-button--success luna-button--cta has-margin-bottom-xsmall\" rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/redirect\/ca\/business-loans\/loans-canada-business-loan-ca-secure.html?nb=1&amp;src_country=ca&amp;redirect_tracking_params=%7B%22placement_type%22%3A%22nb-product%22%2C%22product_id%22%3A%22924ee0a8-1bae-4e5e-b6b0-ecc89834c285%22%2C%22product_name%22%3A%22Loans%2BCanada%2BBusiness%2BLoan%22%2C%22offer_id%22%3A%2217710%22%2C%22decorator%22%3A%22GLOBAL.PRODUCT.HERO_BUTTON_DYNAMIC_CTA%22%2C%22niche_code%22%3A%22CAFBL%22%2C%22post_id%22%3A%22802159%22%2C%22post_path%22%3A%22business-loans%252Fbusiness-loan-scams%22%2C%22post_country%22%3A%22ca%22%7D\" target=\"_blank\">\r\n            Go to site\r\n          <\/a>\r\n\r\n        <\/div>\r\n      <\/section><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-863634\" title=\"Image: Supplied\" src=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/10\/SharpshooterLogo_Supplied_450x2501.jpg\" alt=\"SharpShooter Funding\" width=\"150\" height=\"83\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/10\/SharpshooterLogo_Supplied_450x2501.jpg?fit=180 180w, https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/10\/SharpshooterLogo_Supplied_450x2501.jpg?fit=360 360w, https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/10\/SharpshooterLogo_Supplied_450x2501.jpg?fit=450 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/td><td><ul><li><strong>Loan amount:<\/strong> $1,000 - $300,000<\/li><li><strong>Loan term:<\/strong> 12 - 60 months<\/li><li><strong>APR:<\/strong> 5.49% - 22.79%<span class=\"table-popover\" rel=\"popover\" data-content=\"Interest rates shown reflect the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) range currently advertised by the lender and are subject to change anytime, without notice. Finder does not guarantee that the figures shown will continue to be accurate or current. Figures shown are solely intended to be indicative and for general informational purposes only. Confirm the actual rates currently offered with the lender directly. Your exact rate, if any is offered to you, will be determined solely by the lender based on its assessment of your loan application, which is subject to the lender\u2019s terms and conditions and credit criteria.\" title=\"\" data-original-title=\"\"><\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/td><td><ul><li>Established in 2015 and headquartered in Toronto.<\/li><li>Member of the Canadian Lenders Association.<\/li><li>4.3\/5 stars based on 64 Google reviews.<\/li><\/ul><\/td><td><section class=\"hero-rates__cta\">\r\n                            <div class=\"has-margin-top-small\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/ca\/business-loans\/sharpshooter-funding-business-loans\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"luna-button luna-button--primary luna-button--ghost luna-button--cta has-margin-bottom-xsmall\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tRead review\r\n                              <\/a><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t  <\/section><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-984386\" title=\"Image: Supplied\" src=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/DrivenLogo_Supplied_518x249.png\" alt=\"Driven\" width=\"150\" height=\"61\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/DrivenLogo_Supplied_518x249.png?fit=180 180w, https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/DrivenLogo_Supplied_518x249.png?fit=360 360w, https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/DrivenLogo_Supplied_518x249.png?fit=450 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/td><td><ul><li><strong>Loan amount:<\/strong> $10,000 - $500,000<\/li><li><strong>Loan term:<\/strong> 3 - 24 months<\/li><li><strong>APR:<\/strong> N\/A<\/li><\/ul><\/td><td><ul><li>Has loaned over $1 billion to 17,000 Canadian businesses.<\/li><li>Founded in 2006 and based in Toronto.<\/li><li>4.8\/5 stars based on over 1,000 Trustpilot reviews.<\/li><li>Member of the Canadian Lenders Association.<\/li><\/ul><\/td><td><section class=\"hero-rates__cta\">\r\n                            <div class=\"has-margin-top-small\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/ca\/business-loans\/driven-business-loans-review\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"luna-button luna-button--primary luna-button--ghost luna-button--cta has-margin-bottom-xsmall\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tRead review\r\n                              <\/a><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t  <\/section><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-978373\" title=\"Image: Supplied\" src=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/5\/2022\/03\/clearco_Supplied_450x250.jpg\" alt=\"Clearco\" width=\"150\" height=\"83\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/5\/2022\/03\/clearco_Supplied_450x250.jpg?fit=180 180w, https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/5\/2022\/03\/clearco_Supplied_450x250.jpg?fit=360 360w, https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/5\/2022\/03\/clearco_Supplied_450x250.jpg?fit=450 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/td><td><ul><li><strong>Loan amount: <\/strong>Undisclosed<\/li><li><strong>Loan term:<\/strong> Undisclosed<\/li><li><strong>APR:<\/strong> Not disclosed<\/li><\/ul><\/td><td><ul><li>Founded in 2015 and based in Toronto.<\/li><li>3.9\/5 stars based on over 345 reviews on Trustpilot.<\/li><li>Featured on platforms such as Forbes and Business Insider.<\/li><li>Has funded over 10,000 businesses.<\/li><\/ul><\/td><td><section class=\"hero-rates__cta\">\r\n                            <div class=\"has-margin-top-small\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/ca\/business-loans\/clearco-review\" rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"luna-button luna-button--primary luna-button--ghost luna-button--cta has-margin-bottom-xsmall\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\tRead review\r\n                              <\/a><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t  <\/section><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><h3>What about these business loan companies?<\/h3><ul class=\"luna-accordionGroup accordionGroup\"><li class=\"luna-accordion\" data-accordion=\"accordion\">\n  <div class=\"luna-accordion__summary\">\n    <h4 class=\"luna-accordion__heading\">\n      <button class=\"luna-accordion__action collapsed\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion0000000000\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#accordion0000000000\">\n        <span class=\"luna-accordion__title\">Is Driven (formerly Thinking Capital) legit?<\/span>\n        <svg class=\"luna-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n          <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-down\" data-accordion-icon=\"show\"><\/use>\n          <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-up\" data-accordion-icon=\"hide\" class=\"is-hidden\"><\/use>\n        <\/svg>\n      <\/button>\n    <\/h4>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"luna-accordion__details collapse\" aria-hidden=\"true\" id=\"accordion0000000000\" data-accordion=\"details\">\n    <div class=\"accordionContent\"><p>Yes, Driven Financial Technologies Corporation is legit. Better known simply as Driven, this Canadian-based alternative business lender has been operating since 2006 and is a member of the Canadian Lenders Association. Driven Financial reviews are positive as well, with the company earning a 4.8\/5 on Trustpilot. Learn more in our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/ca\/business-loans\/driven-business-loans-review\">Driven business loans review<\/a>.<\/p><p><em>Information above is as of January 13, 2026.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/li><li class=\"luna-accordion\" data-accordion=\"accordion\">\n  <div class=\"luna-accordion__summary\">\n    <h4 class=\"luna-accordion__heading\">\n      <button class=\"luna-accordion__action collapsed\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion0000000001\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#accordion0000000001\">\n        <span class=\"luna-accordion__title\">Is Capital Lynk legit?<\/span>\n        <svg class=\"luna-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n          <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-down\" data-accordion-icon=\"show\"><\/use>\n          <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-up\" data-accordion-icon=\"hide\" class=\"is-hidden\"><\/use>\n        <\/svg>\n      <\/button>\n    <\/h4>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"luna-accordion__details collapse\" aria-hidden=\"true\" id=\"accordion0000000001\" data-accordion=\"details\">\n    <div class=\"accordionContent\"><p>Capital Lynk\u2019s website is well-developed with a phone number, email and privacy policy, and the company is registered in Quebec. However, it has a 2.2\/5 on Trustpilot from 11 Capital Lynk reviews stating that the company imposes high fees and unclear charges, is difficult to contact after signing, and uses persistent outreach tactics.<\/p><p><em>Information above is as of January 13, 2026.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/li><li class=\"luna-accordion\" data-accordion=\"accordion\">\n  <div class=\"luna-accordion__summary\">\n    <h4 class=\"luna-accordion__heading\">\n      <button class=\"luna-accordion__action collapsed\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion0000000002\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#accordion0000000002\">\n        <span class=\"luna-accordion__title\">Is Journey Capital legit?<\/span>\n        <svg class=\"luna-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n          <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-down\" data-accordion-icon=\"show\"><\/use>\n          <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-up\" data-accordion-icon=\"hide\" class=\"is-hidden\"><\/use>\n        <\/svg>\n      <\/button>\n    <\/h4>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"luna-accordion__details collapse\" aria-hidden=\"true\" id=\"accordion0000000002\" data-accordion=\"details\">\n    <div class=\"accordionContent\"><p>Yes, Journey Capital is legit. It\u2019s a certified lender with the Canadian Lenders Association and is a registered business in Quebec. Journey Capital reviews are positive as well, with the company scoring a 4.9\/5 on Trustpilot.<\/p><p><em>Information above is as of January 13, 2026.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/li><li class=\"luna-accordion\" data-accordion=\"accordion\">\n  <div class=\"luna-accordion__summary\">\n    <h4 class=\"luna-accordion__heading\">\n      <button class=\"luna-accordion__action collapsed\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion0000000003\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#accordion0000000003\">\n        <span class=\"luna-accordion__title\">Is Credit Personnalise (formerly Credit700) legit?<\/span>\n        <svg class=\"luna-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n          <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-down\" data-accordion-icon=\"show\"><\/use>\n          <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-up\" data-accordion-icon=\"hide\" class=\"is-hidden\"><\/use>\n        <\/svg>\n      <\/button>\n    <\/h4>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"luna-accordion__details collapse\" aria-hidden=\"true\" id=\"accordion0000000003\" data-accordion=\"details\">\n    <div class=\"accordionContent\"><p>Yes, Credit Personnalise is legit. It\u2019s registered as a business in Quebec and has a 4.9\/5 on Trustpilot from over 6,000 reviews. However, its website displays the Canadian Lenders Association logo, but we can\u2019t find Credit Personnalise in the certified lenders list.<\/p><p><em>Information above is as of January 13, 2026.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/li><li class=\"luna-accordion\" data-accordion=\"accordion\">\n  <div class=\"luna-accordion__summary\">\n    <h4 class=\"luna-accordion__heading\">\n      <button class=\"luna-accordion__action collapsed\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion0000000004\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#accordion0000000004\">\n        <span class=\"luna-accordion__title\">Is SharpShooter Funding legit?<\/span>\n        <svg class=\"luna-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n          <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-down\" data-accordion-icon=\"show\"><\/use>\n          <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-up\" data-accordion-icon=\"hide\" class=\"is-hidden\"><\/use>\n        <\/svg>\n      <\/button>\n    <\/h4>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"luna-accordion__details collapse\" aria-hidden=\"true\" id=\"accordion0000000004\" data-accordion=\"details\">\n    <div class=\"accordionContent\"><p>Yes, SharpShooter Funding is legit. The company has been in operation since 2015 and is a certified lender with the Canadian Lenders Association. SharpShooter Funding reviews are positive as well, with its head office scoring a 4.3\/5 on Google Maps.<\/p><p><em>Information above is as of January 13, 2026.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/li><li class=\"luna-accordion\" data-accordion=\"accordion\">\n  <div class=\"luna-accordion__summary\">\n    <h4 class=\"luna-accordion__heading\">\n      <button class=\"luna-accordion__action collapsed\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion0000000005\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#accordion0000000005\">\n        <span class=\"luna-accordion__title\">Is SmartCap Funding legit?<\/span>\n        <svg class=\"luna-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n          <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-down\" data-accordion-icon=\"show\"><\/use>\n          <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-up\" data-accordion-icon=\"hide\" class=\"is-hidden\"><\/use>\n        <\/svg>\n      <\/button>\n    <\/h4>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"luna-accordion__details collapse\" aria-hidden=\"true\" id=\"accordion0000000005\" data-accordion=\"details\">\n    <div class=\"accordionContent\"><p>We\u2019re not signing off SmartCap Funding\u2019s legitimacy. Its website has no privacy policy, terms and conditions, email or address, just a phone number. WE couldn\u2019t find its business registration, and there are no SmartCap Funding reviews online at the time of writing.<\/p><p><em>Information above is as of January 13, 2026.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/li><li class=\"luna-accordion\" data-accordion=\"accordion\">\n  <div class=\"luna-accordion__summary\">\n    <h4 class=\"luna-accordion__heading\">\n      <button class=\"luna-accordion__action collapsed\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion0000000006\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#accordion0000000006\">\n        <span class=\"luna-accordion__title\">Is Voxen Capital legit?<\/span>\n        <svg class=\"luna-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n          <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-down\" data-accordion-icon=\"show\"><\/use>\n          <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-up\" data-accordion-icon=\"hide\" class=\"is-hidden\"><\/use>\n        <\/svg>\n      <\/button>\n    <\/h4>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"luna-accordion__details collapse\" aria-hidden=\"true\" id=\"accordion0000000006\" data-accordion=\"details\">\n    <div class=\"accordionContent\"><p>Yes, Voxen Capital is legit. It\u2019s a certified lender with the Canadian Lenders Association and a registered business in Quebec. Its Toronto location has a 4.9\/5 from 85 Voxen Capital reviews on Google Maps.<\/p><p><em>Information above is as of January 13, 2026.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/li><li class=\"luna-accordion\" data-accordion=\"accordion\">\n  <div class=\"luna-accordion__summary\">\n    <h4 class=\"luna-accordion__heading\">\n      <button class=\"luna-accordion__action collapsed\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion0000000007\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#accordion0000000007\">\n        <span class=\"luna-accordion__title\">Is Progressa legit?<\/span>\n        <svg class=\"luna-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n          <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-down\" data-accordion-icon=\"show\"><\/use>\n          <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-up\" data-accordion-icon=\"hide\" class=\"is-hidden\"><\/use>\n        <\/svg>\n      <\/button>\n    <\/h4>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"luna-accordion__details collapse\" aria-hidden=\"true\" id=\"accordion0000000007\" data-accordion=\"details\">\n    <div class=\"accordionContent\"><p>Yes, Progressa is legit. It\u2019s a certified lender with the Canadian Lenders Association and a registered business in BC. It\u2019s also a BBB-accredited business with an A+ rating.<\/p><p><em>Information above is as of January 13, 2026.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/li><li class=\"luna-accordion\" data-accordion=\"accordion\">\n  <div class=\"luna-accordion__summary\">\n    <h4 class=\"luna-accordion__heading\">\n      <button class=\"luna-accordion__action collapsed\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion0000000008\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#accordion0000000008\">\n        <span class=\"luna-accordion__title\">Is Appruvo Capital legit?<\/span>\n        <svg class=\"luna-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n          <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-down\" data-accordion-icon=\"show\"><\/use>\n          <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-up\" data-accordion-icon=\"hide\" class=\"is-hidden\"><\/use>\n        <\/svg>\n      <\/button>\n    <\/h4>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"luna-accordion__details collapse\" aria-hidden=\"true\" id=\"accordion0000000008\" data-accordion=\"details\">\n    <div class=\"accordionContent\"><p>Appruvo Capital\u2019s website is well-developed with two office addresses listed, an email, phone number, privacy policy and terms of service. It\u2019s also one of Driven\u2019s partners, which is a legitimate lender, but the business isn\u2019t registered anywhere in Canada and there are no external Appruvo Capital reviews online.<\/p><p><em>Information above is as of January 13, 2026.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/li><li class=\"luna-accordion\" data-accordion=\"accordion\">\n  <div class=\"luna-accordion__summary\">\n    <h4 class=\"luna-accordion__heading\">\n      <button class=\"luna-accordion__action collapsed\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion0000000009\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#accordion0000000009\">\n        <span class=\"luna-accordion__title\">Is Just Capital Canada legit?<\/span>\n        <svg class=\"luna-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n          <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-down\" data-accordion-icon=\"show\"><\/use>\n          <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-up\" data-accordion-icon=\"hide\" class=\"is-hidden\"><\/use>\n        <\/svg>\n      <\/button>\n    <\/h4>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"luna-accordion__details collapse\" aria-hidden=\"true\" id=\"accordion0000000009\" data-accordion=\"details\">\n    <div class=\"accordionContent\"><p>Just Capital\u2019s website has a phone number, an address in Montreal and a privacy policy, but we couldn\u2019t find a business registration. There aren\u2019t many Just Capital Canada reviews online, either, with only one Trustpilot user giving the company a 1\/5 for \u201cwasting their time.\u201d<\/p><p><em>Information above is as of January 13, 2026.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/li><li class=\"luna-accordion\" data-accordion=\"accordion\">\n  <div class=\"luna-accordion__summary\">\n    <h4 class=\"luna-accordion__heading\">\n      <button class=\"luna-accordion__action collapsed\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion0000000010\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#accordion0000000010\">\n        <span class=\"luna-accordion__title\">Is LoansCashBox legit?<\/span>\n        <svg class=\"luna-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n          <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-down\" data-accordion-icon=\"show\"><\/use>\n          <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-up\" data-accordion-icon=\"hide\" class=\"is-hidden\"><\/use>\n        <\/svg>\n      <\/button>\n    <\/h4>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"luna-accordion__details collapse\" aria-hidden=\"true\" id=\"accordion0000000010\" data-accordion=\"details\">\n    <div class=\"accordionContent\"><p>We can\u2019t sign off on LoansCashBox\u2019s legitimacy. It claims to be a payday lender rather than a business loan lender, but we couldn\u2019t find its payday loan licences. That being said, LoansCashBox reviews are pretty positive, with the company earning a 4.6\/5 on Trustpilot from 405 reviews.<\/p><p><em>Information above is as of January 13, 2026.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/li><li class=\"luna-accordion\" data-accordion=\"accordion\">\n  <div class=\"luna-accordion__summary\">\n    <h4 class=\"luna-accordion__heading\">\n      <button class=\"luna-accordion__action collapsed\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion0000000011\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#accordion0000000011\">\n        <span class=\"luna-accordion__title\">Is Merchant Growth legit in Canada?<\/span>\n        <svg class=\"luna-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n          <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-down\" data-accordion-icon=\"show\"><\/use>\n          <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-up\" data-accordion-icon=\"hide\" class=\"is-hidden\"><\/use>\n        <\/svg>\n      <\/button>\n    <\/h4>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"luna-accordion__details collapse\" aria-hidden=\"true\" id=\"accordion0000000011\" data-accordion=\"details\">\n    <div class=\"accordionContent\"><p>Yes, Merchant Growth is legit. It\u2019s a certified lender with the Canadian Lenders Association and is registered as a business in BC. Merchant Growth reviews are positive as well, with the company earning a 4.8\/5 based on over 650 Trustpilot reviews.<\/p><p><em>Information above is as of January 13, 2026.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/li><li class=\"luna-accordion\" data-accordion=\"accordion\">\n  <div class=\"luna-accordion__summary\">\n    <h4 class=\"luna-accordion__heading\">\n      <button class=\"luna-accordion__action collapsed\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion0000000012\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#accordion0000000012\">\n        <span class=\"luna-accordion__title\">Is The Lenders legit?<\/span>\n        <svg class=\"luna-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n          <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-down\" data-accordion-icon=\"show\"><\/use>\n          <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-up\" data-accordion-icon=\"hide\" class=\"is-hidden\"><\/use>\n        <\/svg>\n      <\/button>\n    <\/h4>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"luna-accordion__details collapse\" aria-hidden=\"true\" id=\"accordion0000000012\" data-accordion=\"details\">\n    <div class=\"accordionContent\"><p>The Lenders is registered in Ontario, and its website lists a phone number, email and privacy policy. However, there are a lot of negative The Lenders reviews. The company has a 1.6\/5 on Trustpilot and an F BBB rating for failing to respond to 7 complaints, many stating that The Lenders demands repayment for funds that were never fully deposited.<\/p><p><em>Information above is as of January 13, 2026.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/li><li class=\"luna-accordion\" data-accordion=\"accordion\">\n  <div class=\"luna-accordion__summary\">\n    <h4 class=\"luna-accordion__heading\">\n      <button class=\"luna-accordion__action collapsed\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion0000000013\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#accordion0000000013\">\n        <span class=\"luna-accordion__title\">Is MJR Capital Services legit?<\/span>\n        <svg class=\"luna-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n          <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-down\" data-accordion-icon=\"show\"><\/use>\n          <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-up\" data-accordion-icon=\"hide\" class=\"is-hidden\"><\/use>\n        <\/svg>\n      <\/button>\n    <\/h4>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"luna-accordion__details collapse\" aria-hidden=\"true\" id=\"accordion0000000013\" data-accordion=\"details\">\n    <div class=\"accordionContent\"><p>MJR Capital Services is registered in Ontario, and its website lists a toll-free and international number. However, the company has a lot of negative reviews. MJR Capital Services has a 1.05\/5 on BBB and a 1.4\/5 on Google, with most reviewers saying they\u2019ve received harassing calls from multiple numbers, often for a loan they never applied for.<\/p><p><em>Information above is as of January 13, 2026.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/li><li class=\"luna-accordion\" data-accordion=\"accordion\">\n  <div class=\"luna-accordion__summary\">\n    <h4 class=\"luna-accordion__heading\">\n      <button class=\"luna-accordion__action collapsed\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion0000000014\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#accordion0000000014\">\n        <span class=\"luna-accordion__title\">Is Quick Access Capital legit?<\/span>\n        <svg class=\"luna-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n          <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-down\" data-accordion-icon=\"show\"><\/use>\n          <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-up\" data-accordion-icon=\"hide\" class=\"is-hidden\"><\/use>\n        <\/svg>\n      <\/button>\n    <\/h4>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"luna-accordion__details collapse\" aria-hidden=\"true\" id=\"accordion0000000014\" data-accordion=\"details\">\n    <div class=\"accordionContent\"><p>Quick Access Capital\u2019s website lists a phone number, email, privacy policy, terms of use and an address in New York and Ontario, but we couldn\u2019t find a business registration in Ontario. There aren\u2019t many Quick Access Capital reviews online either, with just one BBB user giving the company a 1\/5 score for hate speech. And, Quick Access Capital has an F rating on BBB for failing to respond to 5 complaints and not responding to any written communications.<\/p><p><em>Information above is as of January 13, 2026.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/li><li class=\"luna-accordion\" data-accordion=\"accordion\">\n  <div class=\"luna-accordion__summary\">\n    <h4 class=\"luna-accordion__heading\">\n      <button class=\"luna-accordion__action collapsed\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion0000000015\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#accordion0000000015\">\n        <span class=\"luna-accordion__title\">Is Clara Capital Canada legit?<\/span>\n        <svg class=\"luna-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n          <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-down\" data-accordion-icon=\"show\"><\/use>\n          <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-up\" data-accordion-icon=\"hide\" class=\"is-hidden\"><\/use>\n        <\/svg>\n      <\/button>\n    <\/h4>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"luna-accordion__details collapse\" aria-hidden=\"true\" id=\"accordion0000000015\" data-accordion=\"details\">\n    <div class=\"accordionContent\"><p>Clara Capital Canada\u2019s website is well-developed with an address in New York and Vancouver, a phone number, email address, privacy policy and loan information. However, we couldn\u2019t find a company registration in BC. Clara Capital Canada reviews for its New York location are positive, with the company scoring a 5\/5 on Google Maps, but there are no reviews for its Vancouver location, and the company doesn\u2019t have a BBB or Trustpilot profile.<\/p><p><em>Information above is as of January 13, 2026.<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/li><\/ul><div class=\"must-read u-bg--purple-subtle u-rounded--lg\" data-component=\"must-read\">\n    <div class=\"must-read__block\">\n        <h4 class=\"must-read__title\">\n            <span class=\"must-read__title-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"32\" height=\"32\" viewbox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <path d=\"M26.9325 26.9998H5.0675C3.49 26.9998 2.5 25.3486 3.26625 24.0111L14.1988 5.02734C14.9863 3.65234 17.0138 3.65234 17.8013 5.02734L28.7338 24.0111C29.5 25.3486 28.51 26.9998 26.9325 26.9998Z\" fill=\"#B469FF\"><\/path>\n                    <path d=\"M29.6 23.5113L18.6688 4.52758C18.3956 4.06249 18.0056 3.67686 17.5375 3.40891C17.0694 3.14096 16.5394 3 16 3C15.4606 3 14.9306 3.14096 14.4625 3.40891C13.9944 3.67686 13.6044 4.06249 13.3312 4.52758L2.4 23.5113C2.13717 23.9612 1.99866 24.4728 1.99866 24.9938C1.99866 25.5148 2.13717 26.0265 2.4 26.4763C2.66966 26.9442 3.05896 27.332 3.52795 27.5997C3.99694 27.8675 4.52873 28.0057 5.06875 28.0001H26.9313C27.4708 28.0052 28.0021 27.8669 28.4706 27.5991C28.9391 27.3314 29.328 26.9439 29.5975 26.4763C29.8607 26.0267 29.9997 25.5152 30.0001 24.9942C30.0005 24.4732 29.8625 23.9614 29.6 23.5113ZM27.8662 25.4751C27.771 25.6376 27.6341 25.7719 27.4698 25.8642C27.3055 25.9564 27.1197 26.0033 26.9313 26.0001H5.06875C4.88034 26.0033 4.69446 25.9564 4.53016 25.8642C4.36586 25.7719 4.22904 25.6376 4.13375 25.4751C4.04743 25.3289 4.0019 25.1623 4.0019 24.9926C4.0019 24.8228 4.04743 24.6562 4.13375 24.5101L15.065 5.52633C15.1622 5.36455 15.2997 5.23068 15.4639 5.13773C15.6282 5.04479 15.8138 4.99595 16.0025 4.99595C16.1912 4.99595 16.3768 5.04479 16.5411 5.13773C16.7053 5.23068 16.8428 5.36455 16.94 5.52633L27.8713 24.5101C27.9568 24.6567 28.0015 24.8235 28.0006 24.9933C27.9997 25.163 27.9533 25.3294 27.8662 25.4751ZM15 18.0001V13.0001C15 12.7349 15.1054 12.4805 15.2929 12.293C15.4804 12.1054 15.7348 12.0001 16 12.0001C16.2652 12.0001 16.5196 12.1054 16.7071 12.293C16.8946 12.4805 17 12.7349 17 13.0001V18.0001C17 18.2653 16.8946 18.5197 16.7071 18.7072C16.5196 18.8947 16.2652 19.0001 16 19.0001C15.7348 19.0001 15.4804 18.8947 15.2929 18.7072C15.1054 18.5197 15 18.2653 15 18.0001ZM17.5 22.5001C17.5 22.7968 17.412 23.0868 17.2472 23.3334C17.0824 23.5801 16.8481 23.7724 16.574 23.8859C16.2999 23.9994 15.9983 24.0291 15.7074 23.9713C15.4164 23.9134 15.1491 23.7705 14.9393 23.5607C14.7296 23.351 14.5867 23.0837 14.5288 22.7927C14.4709 22.5017 14.5006 22.2001 14.6142 21.9261C14.7277 21.652 14.92 21.4177 15.1666 21.2529C15.4133 21.0881 15.7033 21.0001 16 21.0001C16.3978 21.0001 16.7794 21.1581 17.0607 21.4394C17.342 21.7207 17.5 22.1023 17.5 22.5001Z\" fill=\"#232320\"><\/path>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/span>\n            <span class=\"must-read__title-text\">Must read: Think you've encountered a scammer?<\/span>\n        <\/h4>\n        <div class=\"must-read__content\">\n            If you\u2019re dealing with an unscrupulous company that\u2019s trying to get your money, stop dealing with the lender or scammer immediately. Report the scam to the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC), your bank and the local police.\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3>Small business loan scams: How they work<\/h3><p>Business loan scams work in several different ways, but they exploit one key weakness: your need for fast, easy and cheap financing. In particular, scams often target:<\/p><ul><li>New businesses with limited credit history that may struggle to qualify for traditional financing<\/li><li>Businesses with bad credit that can\u2019t get funding from a bank or credit union<\/li><li>Businesses that are struggling financially and need an emergency loan<\/li><\/ul><p>Scammers pretend to be legitimate business lending companies so they can:<\/p><ul><li>Steal your money<\/li><li>Gain access to your personal information and use it to apply for credit under your business name<\/li><li>Sign you up for a loan you can\u2019t afford to repay<\/li><\/ul><p>And these business loan scams can be a lot more sophisticated than many small business owners expect. Let\u2019s take a look at some common business loan scams to avoid.<\/p><h3>Small business loan scams to watch out for<\/h3><p>With the rise of online lenders, it\u2019s easier than ever before to apply for a business loan. Unfortunately, it\u2019s also easier to fall victim to a scam. Here are some common business loan scams to watch out for.<\/p><h4>Business loan phishing scams<\/h4><p>Scammers create sophisticated websites that look like the sites of legitimate lenders or government-backed business financing programs. They use this to lure you into filling out a loan \u201capplication\u201d with sensitive personal and financial information, then steal your money or use your data to apply for loans under your business name.<\/p><p>With the rise of online lenders, these phishing scams are becoming increasingly prevalent. There are plenty of reputable lenders that allow you to quickly and easily fill out an online application to get a loan, and it can be difficult to tell the difference between a legitimate application form and a scam.<\/p><h4>Advance fee scams<\/h4><p>With this type of con, the scammer promises to approve you for a low-interest loan, but only once you\u2019ve paid an upfront fee. Then once you\u2019ve parted with your money, the loan is never provided.<\/p><h4>Cold calls<\/h4><p>Whether it\u2019s through text messages, emails, phone calls or social media, beware of any lender that makes unsolicited contact with you. Don\u2019t click links you find in emails from unknown senders or in texts from unknown numbers.<\/p><h4>Ads on legitimate websites<\/h4><p>Just because you see a business loan offer advertised on a legit website, it doesn\u2019t mean that the loan company is the real deal. Be suspicious of online ads for guaranteed approval or unrealistically good rates.<\/p><h4>Peer lending scams<\/h4><p>While there are legit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/ca\/personal-loans\/peer-to-peer-lending\">peer-to-peer lending platforms<\/a> available in Canada, illegitimate providers sometimes use platforms like Facebook Messenger and Reddit to exploit business owners. With this in mind, steer clear of any unsolicited offers for peer-to-peer loans.<\/p><h4>Loan broker scams<\/h4><p>There are many legitimate <a href=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/ca\/business-loans\/business-loan-brokers\">business loan brokers<\/a> out there who make money on lender commissions. Unfortunately, there are also some sketchy providers that require you to pay an upfront fee before they\u2019ll help you find the right loan for your needs. These scammers will usually push the line that business loans are so confusing and complex that you\u2019ll only be able to find the right loan with their expert help.<\/p><h4>Credit repair scams<\/h4><p>There are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/ca\/personal-loans\/debt-management\/free-help-for-debt-management\">legitimate credit counselling services<\/a> that can help you take control of debt and rebuild your credit. Unfortunately, you also need to be aware of sketchy credit repair companies that promise to improve your credit score or remove negative listings from your credit report but only after you pay a hefty upfront fee.<\/p><h4>Government grant and loan scams<\/h4><p>Fraudsters may try to convince you that your business is eligible for a lucrative government grant, but the application process will be far too difficult and time-consuming without their expert help.<\/p><h4>Debt collection scams<\/h4><p>If you\u2019re struggling to repay a loan, be wary of fake debt collection scams and dodgy collection practices. These scams often involve the use of threats and harassment to try to get you to cough up your money. Check out <a href=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/ca\/personal-loans\/debt-management\/debt-collector-scams\">our guide on debt collection scams<\/a> for more information.<\/p><h3>7 signs of business loan scams<\/h3><p>There are several red flags that could indicate a business loan scam. If you encounter even one of the signs below, it usually means the so-called lender wants to take your money, not loan you money.<\/p><h4>1. The lender demands an upfront fee<\/h4><p>There\u2019s never any reason to pay a lender or broker up front. It doesn\u2019t matter what reason they give \u2014 be it administration fees, credit check costs, processing costs or anything else. A loan broker should only ever get paid by the lender, in commission, after the deal is done.<\/p><p>Some lenders might have origination fees or costs, but these are only charged once your loan is funded. They should never ask for a down payment or other significant upfront costs before approval. If any lender wants money up front, walk away.<\/p><p>You should also be wary of any lender that demands payment via an unusual method, such as cash, a gift card, a prepaid card or money transfer app. If you send money using any of these methods, it can be extremely difficult to get your funds back.<\/p><h4>2. There\u2019s no contact information online<\/h4><p>Avoid lenders who don\u2019t have a physical address or easily found contact information. Even legitimate lenders that are solely online have clear and easy-to-find contact details and headquarter locations that indicate their legitimacy.<\/p><h4>3. It sounds too good to be true<\/h4><p>If a deal looks too good to be true, then it probably is. Lenders are competing with each other and are constantly trying to offer better rates and loan conditions to attract more business, but they have limits as to what they can offer without losing money. If there\u2019s one lender that seems to be offering a deal that clearly exceeds other loan offers, you have cause to be suspicious. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/ca\/business-loans\/business-loan-interest-rates\">Read our business loan rates guide to find out what\u2019s reasonable<\/a>.<\/p><h4>4. The lender promises guaranteed approval<\/h4><p>No lender can guarantee you\u2019ll be approved for a loan without first checking the financial health of your business. A responsible lender will assess your business\u2019 financial situation before deciding whether to offer you a loan. So, without submitting your business application, you shouldn\u2019t trust any guaranteed loan.<\/p><h4>5. The lender uses a generic email address<\/h4><p>If a business lender is emailing you from a Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo or other generic email account, tread carefully. Lenders should be conducting all business with an official business email address.<\/p><h4>6. The lender contacted you<\/h4><p>If a lender offers you an unsolicited loan, it may be a sign of a scam. Legit lenders don\u2019t offer loans with a cold call. Similarly, you should also be aware of services you don\u2019t want and didn\u2019t ask for, like business plan writing or credit repair. Although there are legitimate companies that offer these services, they\u2019re generally not offered without prompting.<\/p><h4>7. The lender is aggressive<\/h4><p>Does your lender seem a bit too eager? Are they contacting you frequently, trying to rush you into a decision, offering free gifts or throwing around phrases like \u201climited time only\u201d or \u201clast chance\u201d? Legitimate lenders make their money from offering sensible options that you can repay as planned. Scammers make money by rushing people into bad decisions with big promises and then running away with the money.<\/p><h3>Are online business loans safe?<\/h3><p>Yes, provided you deal with a legitimate lender.<\/p><p>There are plenty of legitimate online lenders that might ring your alarm bells if you\u2019re used to dealing with banks. There are also fake online lenders that look professional at first glance.<\/p><p>It\u2019s important to remember that having a professional-looking website doesn\u2019t necessarily mean a company is legitimate. Check for things like verified contact information, actual physical locations (not just P.O. boxes or mailing addresses), association memberships, business registration and positive customer reviews on independent websites.<\/p><p>You should also recognize that there\u2019s a difference between a scam and a bad deal. Not all lenders with low credit requirements, for example, are going to run off with your money or Social Insurance Number (SIN). But you could end up in a cycle of debt if you can\u2019t afford to make payments \u2014 something else you definitely want to avoid.<\/p><article class=\"luna-card luna-card--primary luna-card--border\">\n  <div class=\"luna-card__block\" style=\"padding:0.7em\">\n<span style=\"font-size:0.9em; font-weight: 800; font-style: italic; text-transform: uppercase;\">Must read: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/ca\/business-loans\" style=\"text-decoration:underline; font-size:0.9em;\">Comprehensive list of business loans in Canada<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/article><h3>How do I know if a business lender is legit?<\/h3><p>Telling the difference between a legit lender and a scammer is easy once you know what to look for. Remember these tips to help ensure you find a legit business lending company:<\/p><ul><li><strong>Know who you\u2019re dealing with.<\/strong> Find out the name of the company representative you\u2019re speaking with and the name of the lender. Check the lender\u2019s phone number, email address and physical address to make sure they\u2019re real. Look for the padlock symbol in your web browser that indicates their website is secure. You can also check if they\u2019re a member of any professional associations, such as the Canadian Lenders Association.<\/li><li><strong>Read reviews.<\/strong> Check independent review sites like Trustpilot to find out what other customers have to say about the lender. You can also check with the Better Business Bureau to find out whether the lender is BBB accredited and whether the BBB has received any complaints about the company.<\/li><li><strong>Watch for red flags.<\/strong> From making unsolicited contact to promising guaranteed approval, there are lots of warning signs that could indicate a scammer. If you notice anything that rings alarm bells, proceed with extreme caution.<\/li><li><strong>Read the loan contract carefully.<\/strong> Read your loan agreement carefully before signing. Watch out for any hidden fees or discrepancies between what the lender has promised and what they are now offering you.<\/li><\/ul><h3>Is a personal guarantee legit for business loans?<\/h3><p>Yes. When you apply for a business loan, some lenders will ask for something known as a personal guarantee. This is when you, as an individual, guarantee that you\u2019ll pay back what you borrow if your business defaults on the loan.<\/p><p>Lenders ask for this guarantee because it gives them additional protection. If your business goes under, the lender will hold you personally liable for paying off the loan, which gives them a better chance of recovering any losses.<\/p><p>As a borrower, signing a personal guarantee could increase your chance of approval and allow you to access better loan terms. However, be aware that if the business defaults on the loan, the lender can go after your personal assets. It can also impact your personal credit rating, so make sure you\u2019re aware of what a personal guarantee involves before you sign.<\/p><h3>What to do if you\u2019ve been scammed<\/h3><p>If you\u2019ve fallen victim to a business loan scam, there are four main things you need to do:<\/p><h4>Try to recover your losses<\/h4><p>If you\u2019ve sent money or information to a scammer, contact your bank or financial institution immediately. It can cancel any future transactions that may be in the works and close your account if you\u2019ve sent the scammer any information that may have compromised it.<\/p><p>Sadly, most scam victims won\u2019t see their money again. This is because it\u2019s usually very difficult to track down scammers, and in some cases, they\u2019re overseas where Canadian authorities can\u2019t reach them.<\/p><h4>Report it<\/h4><p>There are multiple ways to report business loan scams in Canada, so consider these contact options:<\/p><ul><li><strong>Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC).<\/strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca\/reportincident-signalerincident\/index-eng.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Report the scam to the CAFC<\/a>. You can also visit the CAFC website to learn more about common scams and ways to avoid them.<\/li><li><strong>The police.<\/strong> Report any fraud to the local police, so they know scammers are targeting businesses in your area. They may also provide you with an incident number that you might need for any potential insurance claims.<\/li><li><strong>Better Business Bureau (BBB).<\/strong> Visit the BBB\u2019s scam tracker and provide details of the scam that took place. The BBB will make the company\u2019s name public, so others can be warned to stay away.<\/li><li><strong>Your bank.<\/strong> Contact your bank to let them know you\u2019ve been a victim of fraud, freeze your account if necessary and discuss potential ways to get your money back.<\/li><\/ul><h4>Contact credit bureaus<\/h4><p>Contact TransUnion and Equifax to get a fraud alert issued for your credit report. This will help ensure that no new credit accounts are opened in your name.<\/p><h4>Avoid follow-up scams<\/h4><p>To ensure that you don\u2019t fall into any more traps or follow-up scams, be aware of these schemes:<\/p><ul><li>Telling you to take out another loan so you can repay the first<\/li><li>Claiming they can recover your losses for a fee<\/li><li>Asking you to pay for travel, accommodation or other costs so they can \u201cfind the scammer\u201d or \u201cget your money back\u201d<\/li><\/ul><p>You can also place yourself on the <a href=\"https:\/\/lnnte-dncl.gc.ca\/en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">National Do Not Call Registry<\/a> to prevent unsolicited phone calls from telemarketers.<\/p><h3>Bottom line<\/h3><p>The best way to prevent falling for a scam is to know what to look for when you apply. Perform due diligence to make sure you only ever deal with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/ca\/business-loans\">legitimate lenders<\/a>. If you\u2019ve become a victim, there are still ways you can fight back, even if you can\u2019t recoup your losses.<\/p><h3>Frequently asked questions about small business loan scams<\/h3><ul class=\"luna-accordionGroup accordionGroup\">\n\t<li class=\"luna-accordion\" data-accordion=\"accordion\">\n    <div class=\"luna-accordion__summary\">\n        <h4 class=\"luna-accordion__heading\">\n            <button class=\"luna-accordion__action collapsed\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"faq-builder-0000000000\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#faq-builder-0000000000\">\n                <span class=\"luna-accordion__title\">Can I get my money back if I fall victim to a business loan scam?<\/span>\n                <svg class=\"luna-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-down\" data-accordion-icon=\"show\"><\/use>\n                    <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-up\" data-accordion-icon=\"hide\" class=\"is-hidden\"><\/use>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/h4>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"luna-accordion__details collapse\" aria-hidden=\"true\" id=\"faq-builder-0000000000\" data-accordion=\"details\">\n        <div class=\"accordionContent\">\n            <div>\n                <p>It might be possible, but it's unlikely. Check with your bank and\/or credit card company to see if there are any options available to you.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"luna-accordion\" data-accordion=\"accordion\">\n    <div class=\"luna-accordion__summary\">\n        <h4 class=\"luna-accordion__heading\">\n            <button class=\"luna-accordion__action collapsed\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"faq-builder-0000000001\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#faq-builder-0000000001\">\n                <span class=\"luna-accordion__title\">Do legit business loan providers ask for bank account information?<\/span>\n                <svg class=\"luna-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-down\" data-accordion-icon=\"show\"><\/use>\n                    <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-up\" data-accordion-icon=\"hide\" class=\"is-hidden\"><\/use>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/h4>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"luna-accordion__details collapse\" aria-hidden=\"true\" id=\"faq-builder-0000000001\" data-accordion=\"details\">\n        <div class=\"accordionContent\">\n            <div>\n                <p>It depends. Some lenders might request your business bank account number and your bank's institution number to confirm that you have sufficient income to repay your loan, but legit lenders will never ask for a password or other login information. If your lender does, be careful. You've likely run into a scam.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"luna-accordion\" data-accordion=\"accordion\">\n    <div class=\"luna-accordion__summary\">\n        <h4 class=\"luna-accordion__heading\">\n            <button class=\"luna-accordion__action collapsed\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"faq-builder-0000000002\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#faq-builder-0000000002\">\n                <span class=\"luna-accordion__title\">Would I be better off getting a business loan from a bank?<\/span>\n                <svg class=\"luna-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-down\" data-accordion-icon=\"show\"><\/use>\n                    <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-up\" data-accordion-icon=\"hide\" class=\"is-hidden\"><\/use>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/h4>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"luna-accordion__details collapse\" aria-hidden=\"true\" id=\"faq-builder-0000000002\" data-accordion=\"details\">\n        <div class=\"accordionContent\">\n            <div>\n                <p>It depends on your needs. Even small business loans from banks can be relatively difficult for newer businesses to qualify for, and you may have to meet rigorous criteria to be eligible. There are legit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/ca\/business-loans\/private-business-loans-canada\">private business loan lenders<\/a> that operate online and have more lenient eligibility requirements. Just use our tips above to make sure the lender you choose is legitimate.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"luna-accordion\" data-accordion=\"accordion\">\n    <div class=\"luna-accordion__summary\">\n        <h4 class=\"luna-accordion__heading\">\n            <button class=\"luna-accordion__action collapsed\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"faq-builder-0000000003\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#faq-builder-0000000003\">\n                <span class=\"luna-accordion__title\">I've been contacted by someone who claims they can put me in touch with a wealthy investor who wants to invest in my business. Is this a scam?<\/span>\n                <svg class=\"luna-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-down\" data-accordion-icon=\"show\"><\/use>\n                    <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-up\" data-accordion-icon=\"hide\" class=\"is-hidden\"><\/use>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/h4>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"luna-accordion__details collapse\" aria-hidden=\"true\" id=\"faq-builder-0000000003\" data-accordion=\"details\">\n        <div class=\"accordionContent\">\n            <div>\n                <p>Quite possibly. The \"ghost investor\" scam is another common way scammers target small business owners, promising to connect you with a mysterious investor as soon as you pay an upfront fee. Be very wary of any unsolicited offers that sound too good to be true, and take care not to hand over any money or personal\/financial information until you know you're dealing with a legitimate provider.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"luna-accordion\" data-accordion=\"accordion\">\n    <div class=\"luna-accordion__summary\">\n        <h4 class=\"luna-accordion__heading\">\n            <button class=\"luna-accordion__action collapsed\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"faq-builder-0000000004\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#faq-builder-0000000004\">\n                <span class=\"luna-accordion__title\">Are there any Small Business Administration loan scams I need to be aware of?<\/span>\n                <svg class=\"luna-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-down\" data-accordion-icon=\"show\"><\/use>\n                    <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-up\" data-accordion-icon=\"hide\" class=\"is-hidden\"><\/use>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/h4>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"luna-accordion__details collapse\" aria-hidden=\"true\" id=\"faq-builder-0000000004\" data-accordion=\"details\">\n        <div class=\"accordionContent\">\n            <div>\n                <p>The US Small Business Administration (SBA) is a federal government agency that offers funding programs for small businesses. Scammers sometimes target SBA loans as part of upfront fee and phishing scams. Businesses in the US can find out more about how these scams work and how to avoid them on our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/business-loans\/business-loan-scams\">US website<\/a>.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"luna-accordion\" data-accordion=\"accordion\">\n    <div class=\"luna-accordion__summary\">\n        <h4 class=\"luna-accordion__heading\">\n            <button class=\"luna-accordion__action collapsed\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"faq-builder-0000000005\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#faq-builder-0000000005\">\n                <span class=\"luna-accordion__title\">Are there legitimate lenders that offer bad credit business loans?<\/span>\n                <svg class=\"luna-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-down\" data-accordion-icon=\"show\"><\/use>\n                    <use xlink:href=\"#chevron-up\" data-accordion-icon=\"hide\" class=\"is-hidden\"><\/use>\n                <\/svg>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/h4>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"luna-accordion__details collapse\" aria-hidden=\"true\" id=\"faq-builder-0000000005\" data-accordion=\"details\">\n        <div class=\"accordionContent\">\n            <div>\n                <p>Yes, there are some legitimate alternative lenders that offer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/ca\/business-loans\/bad-credit-business-loans\">loans for businesses with less-than-perfect credit<\/a>. However, scammers also target business owners with poor credit who are finding it difficult to qualify for traditional funding. Make sure you research any lender thoroughly to make sure they're above board before proceeding with an application.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"sources\" style=\"position: relative;\"><h3 style=\"position: absolute; width: 1px; height: 1px; padding: 0; margin: -1px; overflow: hidden; clip: rect(0,0,0,0); white-space: nowrap; border: 0;\">Sources<\/h3>\n<div id=\"lazy0000000006\"><\/div>\n<script type=\"application\/json\" id=\"lazyloaded-assets-json-lazy0000000006\" class=\"lazyloaded-assets-json\">{\"critical-scripts\":[],\"scripts\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.finder.com\\\/parent-theme\\\/shortcodes\\\/article-source\\\/prod\\\/article-source.de087a0da9824e407767.js\"],\"styles\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.finder.com\\\/parent-theme\\\/shortcodes\\\/article-source\\\/prod\\\/article-source.87684078d471e76125dd.css\"]}<\/script><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How to spot and avoid business loan scams and find legitimate business lenders.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":516,"featured_media":1043206,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"apple_news_api_created_at":"","apple_news_api_id":"","apple_news_api_modified_at":"","apple_news_api_revision":"","apple_news_api_share_url":"","apple_news_cover_media_provider":"image","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_cover_video_id":0,"apple_news_cover_video_url":"","apple_news_cover_embedwebvideo_url":"","apple_news_is_hidden":"","apple_news_is_paid":"","apple_news_is_preview":"","apple_news_is_sponsored":"","apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":[],"apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5740],"tags":[5887,3843],"asset_tag":[],"class_list":["post-802159","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business-loans","tag-business-loan","tag-scams"],"apple_news_notices":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.9 (Yoast SEO v24.9) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Avoid Business Loan Scams &amp; Compare Legit Lenders<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Are you applying to a legit lender? 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Learn how to spot business loan scam red flags and discover where to get a legit business loan.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/ca\/business-loans\/business-loan-scams\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Finder Canada\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2019-08-29T05:00:24+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/cdn.finder.com.au\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/businessloanscams_Supplied_1800x1000.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Tim Falk\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Tim Falk\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"15 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/ca\/business-loans\/business-loan-scams#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/ca\/business-loans\/business-loan-scams\"},\"author\":[{\"name\":\"Tim Falk\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/ca\/#\/schema\/person\/e84372ad54f89a7447d88eab25817464\"},{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/ca\/#\/schema\/person\/dac978d814ec5930cc37687e07dc2c41\"}],\"headline\":\"Avoid These Business Loan Scams &#038; Compare Legit Lenders\",\"datePublished\":\"2019-08-29T05:00:24+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-01-22T13:16:25+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/ca\/business-loans\/business-loan-scams\"},\"wordCount\":4822,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/ca\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/ca\/business-loans\/business-loan-scams#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/cdn.finder.com.au\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/businessloanscams_Supplied_1800x1000.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Business Loans\"],\"inLanguage\":{\"@type\":\"Language\",\"name\":\"English\",\"alternateName\":\"en\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/ca\/business-loans\/business-loan-scams#respond\"]}],\"editor\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/ca\/#\/schema\/person\/9d47eeda06b879b07a813536f2068c72\"},\"citation\":[{\"@type\":\"CreativeWork\",\"name\":\"Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: Grant and loan\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca\/scams-fraudes\/loan-pret-eng.htm\"},{\"@type\":\"CreativeWork\",\"name\":\"Canadian Lenders Association: Certified Lenders\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.canadianlenders.org\/lenders\/\"},{\"@type\":\"CreativeWork\",\"name\":\"Canada's Business Registries\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/ised-isde.canada.ca\/cbr-rec\/en\/search\"},{\"@type\":\"CreativeWork\",\"name\":\"Quebec Business Register\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.quebec.ca\/en\/businesses-and-self-employed-workers\/find-information-about-enterprise\/search-enterprise-register\/find-an-enterprise\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/ca\/business-loans\/business-loan-scams\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/ca\/business-loans\/business-loan-scams\",\"name\":\"Avoid Business Loan Scams & Compare Legit Lenders\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/ca\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/ca\/business-loans\/business-loan-scams#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/ca\/business-loans\/business-loan-scams#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/cdn.finder.com.au\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/5\/2019\/08\/businessloanscams_Supplied_1800x1000.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2019-08-29T05:00:24+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-01-22T13:16:25+00:00\",\"description\":\"Are you applying to a legit lender? 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Check with your bank and\/or credit card company to see if there are any options available to you.\\r\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Do legit business loan providers ask for bank account information?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"\\rIt depends. Some lenders might request your business bank account number and your bank's institution number to confirm that you have sufficient income to repay your loan, but legit lenders will never ask for a password or other login information. If your lender does, be careful. You've likely run into a scam.\\r\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Would I be better off getting a business loan from a bank?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"\\rIt depends on your needs. Even small business loans from banks can be relatively difficult for newer businesses to qualify for, and you may have to meet rigorous criteria to be eligible. There are legit <a href=\\\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/ca\/business-loans\/private-business-loans-canada\\\">private business loan lenders<\/a> that operate online and have more lenient eligibility requirements. Just use our tips above to make sure the lender you choose is legitimate.\\r\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"I've been contacted by someone who claims they can put me in touch with a wealthy investor who wants to invest in my business. Is this a scam?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"\\rQuite possibly. The \\\"ghost investor\\\" scam is another common way scammers target small business owners, promising to connect you with a mysterious investor as soon as you pay an upfront fee. Be very wary of any unsolicited offers that sound too good to be true, and take care not to hand over any money or personal\/financial information until you know you're dealing with a legitimate provider.\\r\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Are there any Small Business Administration loan scams I need to be aware of?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"\\rThe US Small Business Administration (SBA) is a federal government agency that offers funding programs for small businesses. Scammers sometimes target SBA loans as part of upfront fee and phishing scams. Businesses in the US can find out more about how these scams work and how to avoid them on our <a href=\\\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/business-loans\/business-loan-scams\\\">US website<\/a>.\\r\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Are there legitimate lenders that offer bad credit business loans?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"\\rYes, there are some legitimate alternative lenders that offer <a href=\\\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/ca\/business-loans\/bad-credit-business-loans\\\">loans for businesses with less-than-perfect credit<\/a>. However, scammers also target business owners with poor credit who are finding it difficult to qualify for traditional funding. 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Leanne holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English literature and creative writing from Western University.","jobTitle":"Senior Publisher","url":"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/ca\/author\/leanneescobal","sameAs":["https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/leanne-escobal\/"],"knowsAbout":[{"@type":"Thing","name":"Personal Loans"},{"@type":"Thing","name":"Car Loans"},{"@type":"Thing","name":"Business Loans"},{"@type":"Thing","name":"Short-Term Loans"},{"@type":"Thing","name":"International Money Transfers"},{"@type":"Thing","name":"Make Money Online"}],"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/ca\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\/9d47eeda06b879b07a813536f2068c72","url":"https:\/\/cdn.finder.com.au\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/2025\/12\/LeanneEscobalF1_Finder_600x600.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/cdn.finder.com.au\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/2025\/12\/LeanneEscobalF1_Finder_600x600.png","caption":"Leanne Escobal"},"worksFor":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/ca\/#organization","name":"Finder"}},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","name":"Frequently Asked Questions","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Can I get my money back if I fall victim to a business loan scam?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"\rIt might be possible, but it's unlikely. Check with your bank and\/or credit card company to see if there are any options available to you.\r"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Do legit business loan providers ask for bank account information?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"\rIt depends. Some lenders might request your business bank account number and your bank's institution number to confirm that you have sufficient income to repay your loan, but legit lenders will never ask for a password or other login information. If your lender does, be careful. You've likely run into a scam.\r"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Would I be better off getting a business loan from a bank?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"\rIt depends on your needs. Even small business loans from banks can be relatively difficult for newer businesses to qualify for, and you may have to meet rigorous criteria to be eligible. There are legit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/ca\/business-loans\/private-business-loans-canada\">private business loan lenders<\/a> that operate online and have more lenient eligibility requirements. Just use our tips above to make sure the lender you choose is legitimate.\r"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"I've been contacted by someone who claims they can put me in touch with a wealthy investor who wants to invest in my business. Is this a scam?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"\rQuite possibly. The \"ghost investor\" scam is another common way scammers target small business owners, promising to connect you with a mysterious investor as soon as you pay an upfront fee. Be very wary of any unsolicited offers that sound too good to be true, and take care not to hand over any money or personal\/financial information until you know you're dealing with a legitimate provider.\r"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Are there any Small Business Administration loan scams I need to be aware of?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"\rThe US Small Business Administration (SBA) is a federal government agency that offers funding programs for small businesses. Scammers sometimes target SBA loans as part of upfront fee and phishing scams. Businesses in the US can find out more about how these scams work and how to avoid them on our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/business-loans\/business-loan-scams\">US website<\/a>.\r"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Are there legitimate lenders that offer bad credit business loans?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"\rYes, there are some legitimate alternative lenders that offer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/ca\/business-loans\/bad-credit-business-loans\">loans for businesses with less-than-perfect credit<\/a>. However, scammers also target business owners with poor credit who are finding it difficult to qualify for traditional funding. Make sure you research any lender thoroughly to make sure they're above board before proceeding with an application.\r"}}]}]},"article_modified_time":"2026-01-22T13:16:25+00:00"},"custom_fields":{"show_author_box":["1"],"_content_type":["niche-content\/information\/what-is"],"_masthead_variant":["{\"id\":\"standard-blue\",\"showFeaturedImage\":false,\"presetId\":\"\",\"shouldUsePrimaryCTAFieldName\":false,\"shouldUseSecondaryCTAFieldName\":false,\"primaryCTA\":null,\"secondaryCTA\":null,\"widgetShortcode\":\"\",\"widgetHeading\":\"\",\"widgetStats\":\"\",\"hasPrioritizedWidget\":false,\"hasMaximizedWidget\":false,\"shouldUseOverrideCTALabel\":false,\"overrideCTA\":null,\"cleanTopPicks\":\"\",\"tilesMenuId\":\"\"}"],"_masthead_subheading":["{\"text\":\"Don&#039;t fall victim to a business loan scam. 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