The latest consumer credit report from the Federal Reserve states that consumer credit; revolving credit, such as credit card debt; and nonrevolving credit, such as personal loans; increased again this quarter at an annual rate of between 1.4% and 6.3%. If you’re feeling the financial pinch, you’re not alone.
Unfortunately, companies, some seemingly not legitimate, exist, which make it their business to take advantage of consumers with mounting debt. We can’t say for sure if United Club Lending is one of those predatory lenders, but here’s what we’ve learned so far.
What is United Club Lending?
You may have seen the mailer in your mailbox. It’s from a company called United Club Lending featuring an urgent call to action to consolidate a seemingly random amount of debt for a very low loan rate between 3% and 6%.
United Club Lending appears to be a debt consolidation marketplace with no fees for applying or using the service—at least that’s what its website would have us believe. However, a simple scanning of the page seems to contradict some of its own statements.
In fact, we quickly learn on the page that the company isn’t called United Club Lending, as the website URL and mailer suggest, but United Lending Club. This is a small difference, but it’s disconcerting.
Is United Club Lending Legit?
While we won’t throw out the legitimacy of United Club Lending or its stated affiliates just because of a naming issue, there are several additional red flags that suggest the company is something less than honest about its intentions.
- Google’s listing for this company states that there is no information available for this page.
- Clicking on the “Get Pre-Approved In Minutes” tab on the company’s landing page takes us to a section that advertises something other than simple loan consolidation. Additionally, although a “Back” button exists, it’s inactive and you’re forced to move through the next step or close the page.
- Digging deeper, the site appears to be about three years younger than the company claims to have been in business.
United Club Lending Reviews - A quick search of United Club Lending and United Lending Club revealed no reviews other than some listings on Reddit. Neither name appeared in a search of the Better Business Bureau website, nor does it appear on any Trustpilot or other reputable review platform.
The Reddit users engaged in the forum all appear to share the same belief that something isn’t right about United Club Lending.
United Club Lending Debt Consolidation Alternatives
While United Club Lending doesn’t appear to be all it’s cracked up to be for numerous reasons, that’s not to say that legitimate debt consolidation companies don’t exist. Accredited™ is among the best organizations available for those looking to reduce their monthly payments on revolving debt. Accredited can help lower your monthly payment, requires no credit score to apply, and features an A+ rating at the BBB.
Other top-rated debt consolidation companies include the following lenders.
Credible – Rates for personal loans provided by Credible range from 6.40% to 35.99% APR with repayment terms from 12 to 84 months.
- Compare Rates for Free
- Loans up to $200,000
- Receive funds as soon as tomorrow
- See Credible Plans
LendingTree – Rates for personal loans provided by Lending Tree range from 5.99% to 35.99% APR with repayment terms from 12 to 120 months.
- Minimum Credit Score: 600
- Soft Credit Check To Pre-Qualify
- Home Equity Credit Options Available
- See LendingTree Rates
LendingClub – Rates for personal loans provided by LendingClub range from 9.57% to 35.99% APR with repayment terms from 24 to 60 months.
- Loans Funded In One Week
- Get A Lower Rate With A Co-Borrower
- 3- 5 years term and $1,000- $40,000
- See LendingClub Plans on Credible’s Site
Upstart – Rates for personal loans provided by Upstart range from 7.8% to 35.99% APR with repayment terms from 36 to 60 months.
- No Minimum Credit Score
- Soft Credit Check To Pre-Qualify
- Get Funding In One Day
- See Upstart Plans
How to Choose a Debt Consolidation Company You Trust
The most important factors when choosing the best debt consolidation company for your needs include lowering and managing your monthly debt payments. However, and perhaps more importantly, identifying a lender you trust and feel comfortable working with is crucial. After all, debt consolidation can help minimize stress, and working with a difficult lender, or worse, a predatory lender, can negate any benefits. Here are attributes to look for in a debt consolidation lender or lending marketplace to ensure you find one you can trust.
1. Ratings
Seek out company ratings from trusted review platforms. Beyond the rating score, read some of the good and poor reviews to get a picture of what the company is like, especially in a sticky situation.
2. Simplicity
Online lending has changed the way we obtain debt consolidation and the best personal loans. The process from a trustworthy lender should involve free pre-approvals that involve only a soft credit check that won’t affect your credit score.
3. Options
After taking the pre-approval step, the site should provide more than one option to meet your borrowing or consolidation needs. Many lending companies offer to make payments to your creditors on your behalf, eliminating a step for you in the process.
4. Fees
The best and most trustworthy online lenders will not charge a fee for using the service. While some lending institutions may charge a loan origination fee, these should be minimal and occur only after you’ve accepted the financing, never before.
5. Interest Rates and Terms
The current interest rates for online lenders range from around 5.99% to 35.99% for personal loans and debt consolidations, with terms ranging from 12 to 120 months. Be wary of predatory lenders, which often charge well above that APR range and may promise impossibly short payback periods.
