Frequently Asked Questions
How does LendingTree Work?
We help you get the best deal possible on your loans, period. By giving consumers multiple offers from several lenders in a matter of minutes, we make comparison shopping easy. And we all know – when lenders compete for your business, you win!
Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer looking for a mortgage or you’re in the market for a small business loan, we’ve got you covered.
Have additional questions or concerns not covered here? Please contact LendingTree Customer Care via the Contact Us page.
Using LendingTree
By coming to LendingTree.com, you have accessed the leading online loan marketplace. LendingTree quickly connects consumers to lenders who compete for your business. LendingTree lenders offer an array of loan types, including mortgages, home equity loans, auto loans and personal loans. LendingTree provides a convenient ‘one-stop-shop’ for your loan needs by giving you choice, convenience and value while helping you find the lender that’s perfect for you.
LendingTree does not charge any kind of fee for the service of matching borrowers with lenders. In addition, no lender that you are matched with through LendingTree will ask you for any upfront fees to “guarantee” or “insure” a loan. Beware if you are asked for a fee or “insurance” before completing an application with a loan officer. No legitimate lender does this.
If you receive calls, letters or emails from “lenders” who say that they are LendingTree or who tell you that they represent LendingTree, make sure you know the facts:
- LendingTree only matches customers with lenders on our network. You will be notified of lenders you are matched with either through emails or over the phone.
- LendingTree and our lenders will not ask you to pay any money for approving a loan, guaranteeing a loan or for “insuring a loan.
- LendingTree and our lenders will not ask you to send a copy of your driver’s license or Social Security card before you have submitted an application with a loan officer. Please note: If you complete a loan request through LendingTree, you have not completed a loan application. You must do this with the lenders with whom you are matched.
- LendingTree and our lenders will never ask for your bank account information before you complete your loan application.
- Legitimate lenders may ask for and charge an interest rate lock fee, application fee or appraisal fee once you begin working with a loan officer. LendingTree suggests that you use a credit card when paying any fee for your protection.
For additional information on this important issue, please see the FTC notice on Advance-Fee Loan Scams.
LendingTree does not charge you for using its services. Each Lender you are matched with determines their own policy regarding closing costs. Unfortunately, we are unable to determine the amount of closing costs or out-of-pocket closing expenses. If we are able to match your request with a Lender, you may discuss your specific situation with them once you are in contact.
At this time, we only service requests for loans that originate in the continental United States, Alaska and Hawaii.
We think the best endorsem*nt comes from people who found a loan through LendingTree. We get letters and emails each day from happy borrowers who found a loan. We’ve shared some of their comments in Customer Feedback. LendingTree is also a member of the Better Business Bureau. Please feel free to call them at (704) 527-0012 to check up on us.
Please contact LendingTree Customer Care via the Contact Us page.
Our lenders
If we can’t find a lender who meets your needs, we will notify you almost immediately. If we can’t match your loan request to a lender, you may return to the website and complete a new loan request any time you want. We are always adding new lenders to our network, so please continue to check back.
Including a co-borrower on your loan request may or may not affect your chances of finding a loan. Lenders will consider the credit reports, income, assets, debts and other information about both borrowers. Before you decide whether or not to include a co-borrower on your loan request, consider your combined financial picture.
Loan requests and offers
LendingTree is committed to sending information to Lenders quickly and accurately. Using mail, email or fax would introduce the possibility of transcription errors, unnecessary delays and additional costs – which would reduce the benefits of using LendingTree! That is why we only accept loan requests through our online forms or over the phone where we can confirm the information you provide.
It’s important that you evaluate all of the terms of each offer before you choose the one that’s best for you. Compare the interest rate, APR, points, loan amount, loan term and other details of the loan offer.
LendingTree will send you an e-mail with each lender’s loan offer when the lender responds, usually within minutes. When each Lender makes their decision, we will notify you via email. You will receive an email for each lender making an offer with the details of the offers.
Please contact LendingTree Customer Care via the Contact Us page.
It is critical that you enter your email address correctly when completing a loan request. We use email to communicate with you when Lenders make a decision about your loan request. LendingTree is not responsible for any errors or delays in responding to a loan request caused by an incorrect email address provided by you or other technical problems beyond reasonable control. However, if it’s been one business day since you completed your loan request and you haven’t received an email, you may still get offers and they will be e-mailed to you as soon as available. If you are having problems, please contact LendingTree Customer Care via the Contact Us page.
LendingTree works with a network of hundreds of lenders that offer a wide range of loan products, such as mortgages, personal loans and business loans. When you submit details about the type of loan you’re looking for, we search our lender database to find up to five lenders who most closely match your needs. Your matched lenders then provide loan offers to you with your personalized rates and terms, so you can compare and choose your preferred offer.
In most cases, you will have to complete another loan request with the updated information. You can do this online by logging in to your MyLendingTree account and submitting another form where we can pre-fill much of your information using your initial loan request.
After you accept an offer, you will need to communicate with the Lender directly (via mail, email or phone) to complete the loan process. You will need to verify the information you provided through our site through W-2 forms, pay stubs, house appraisals etc. You’ll also need to sign the official application forms from the Lender and schedule a closing.
You are under no obligation to accept a loan offer that is presented to you. However, if you do accept a loan offer, you may be obligated to pay a fee to the lender (including LendingTree Loans or Home Loan Center) to begin the processing of your loan application should you choose to apply for a loan with that lender.
We are sorry that you do not wish to continue with your loan request. As soon as you submit your request, we try to match it with Lenders on our network. If you have been matched with a lender, you must contact that lender directly to cancel your request. The lender’s contact information is included in the details of your loan offer.
You may also reach out to LendingTree Customer Care via the Contact Us page.
Personal information and security
LendingTree uses secure technology to ensure that the data you send us is protected, confidential and secure. Please see our Security Policy for more information.
We ask questions about you, the type of loan you are looking for, and your financial situation (income, assets and debts). You may want to gather your pay stub or last year’s tax return before you start completing the forms. If you’re refinancing your mortgage or looking for a home equity loan or line of credit, we need to know about the terms of your current mortgage, how much you owe and how much you want to borrow.
LendingTree believes that you should be aware of who we are, the types of information we may collect on our website, and what we do with your personal information. Please see our Privacy Policy. Your information will be shared with the lender(s) with whom you are matched so that they can respond to your loan request.
We cannot delete your loan request because we must maintain a record of your inquiry to comply with state and federal record retention laws. However, we do not share your information except in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Should a state or federal regulator request records of consumers who completed loan requests, as a regulated entity, we must comply with that request to produce any such records.
When you make a loan request, we may ask for permission to perform a soft credit check. This does not impact your credit score or credit report. Having more details about your credit profile simply helps lenders prepare more personalized loan offers, so you receive accurate rate and payment information upfront.
In order to provide accurate and personalized rates for you, LendingTree performs a soft credit inquiry to review your credit report. This does not impact your credit score in any way.
Each lender has their own policy about pulling your credit. Some may pull your credit before they make you a loan offer; others may pull your credit after you have accepted their offer. In all cases, LendingTree pulls your credit report when you complete a loan request.
Presently Fair Isaac Corporation (the company that provides “FICO” credit scores) provides that for mortgage or auto loans it disregards those inquiries made in the prior 30 days. All inquiries on your credit report within a 14-day period will count as one inquiry if you are looking for a mortgage to purchase a home, a mortgage to refinance your home, a home equity loan or line of credit or an auto loan. If you are looking for a personal loan or credit card, however, each inquiry will be counted as a separate inquiry.
That’s okay! Providing your Social Security number to LendingTree is usually optional. We simply ask for this information to help get your most accurate rates and loan offers. If you are worried about privacy and security, please check our Privacy Policy and our Security Policy to see how LendingTree uses your information.
Miscellaneous
Please go to LendingTree Careers to check on available positions.
We want to be your advocate throughout the loan process. If you have questions or comments at any time, please contact our Customer Care Department viathe Contact Us page.
Please contact our Customer Care Department viathe Contact Us page.
