Answer

How to spot a business loan scam

Upfront 'release' fees, pressure to act instantly, and lenders who contact you out of the blue are the classic signs of a loan scam. A legitimate lender never asks for a fee to release your funds.

2 min read

Upfront feeBiggest red flag
PressureAct now = scam
VerifyCheck independently

The red flags

Be alert to: a demand for an upfront fee to “release” a loan (legitimate lenders deduct fees from the advance or bill them, never ask you to pay first); high-pressure urgency; unsolicited approaches by call or text; guaranteed approval with no checks; and impersonation of a known lender using a slightly-wrong web address or email. Any of these is reason to stop.

How to protect your company

Verify the lender independently — find their contact details yourself rather than using a number from the message, check they're a registered UK company, and confirm the web address exactly. Never pay a fee to release funds or share security codes. If in doubt, pause; a genuine lender will wait. Apply only through official channels, such as Credicorp's own application page.

What it means for you

Credicorp lends to your company, not to you personally, and takes no personal guarantee. See business loans or apply online.

Frequently asked questions

Do real lenders charge an upfront fee to release a loan?

No. Legitimate lenders deduct any fees from the advance or invoice them normally — they never require you to pay a fee first to 'release' or 'unlock' your funds. An upfront release fee is a hallmark of a scam.

How do I check a lender is genuine?

Find their contact details independently (not from the message that approached you), confirm they're a registered company, check the exact web address, and never act under time pressure. A real lender will happily let you verify them.

Funding for UK limited companies

Credicorp lends to your company, not to you personally — short-term working capital with no personal guarantee. See what your business could access.