How to Avoid Them (Expert Tip): Look for key signs:
Vague Business Name: The website may have a generic name that sounds like a loan service but lacks a clear company identity.
No Licensing Information: They rarely display a provincial lender license number because they are brokers, not lenders.
The Disclaimer: They often have a small print disclaimer at the bottom stating they are a "marketing lead generator" or "loan matching service."
Actionable Advice: To avoid them, apply directly to the website of a well-known, licensed financial institution (a major Canadian bank, a credit union, or a nationally recognized non-bank lender like Fairstone). Direct applications protect your personal data and ensure you are dealing with a verifiable, regulated entity.
https://www.creditprets.ca/