Online Threat Alerts (OTA) - Alerting you to scams and frauds.

American Expedite Loan Scam - How to Protect Yourself
American Expedite Loan Scam - How to Protect Yourself

"American Expedite Loan" is an advance-fee scam. Fraudsters use this name (often mimicking a legitimate freight/logistics service) to trick victims into paying fake "processing fees," "taxes," or "insurance" to receive a guaranteed loan. They will demand you send these fees via wire transfer or gift cards, then vanish without ever providing the promised money.

If you are targeted by this operation, you can verify if a lender is legally permitted to operate in your jurisdiction using the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) database.

Red Flags to Watch For

  • Guarantees: Legitimate lenders must check your credit and financial history first. Any company claiming you are "100% approved" before you apply is a scam.
  • Upfront Fees: If they ask you to pay money before they will disburse the loan, it is a scam. Legitimate loan fees are deducted from your loan amount.
  • Dodgy Payment Methods: Fraudsters ask for untraceable payments, such as wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or gift cards (e.g., GreenDot, Apple, Google Play).

If You Are a Victim

If you have already engaged with them or sent money, take immediate action to protect yourself:

  1. Freeze your credit: Contact major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) to prevent scammers from opening lines of credit in your name.
  2. File a police report: Contact your local police or constabulary to report the fraud.
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