A repeatable checklist to run before every loan. The discipline is the protection.
Before you send a cent
Look them up in Signals. Any unpaid flag is a stop.
Check account age & history. Brand-new accounts asking for money are the riskiest group there is.
Read the request itself. A clear reason, a realistic amount, and a concrete repayment date are good signs. Vagueness and urgency are not.
Only lend what you can lose. Every online loan carries real default risk. Size accordingly.