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==Protect yourself== | ==Protect yourself== | ||
=== | ===Step 1. Ask questions before guaranteeing or co-signing a loan=== | ||
Before putting yourself at risk, ask questions like: | Before putting yourself at risk, ask questions like: | ||
* Why does the lender want a co-signer or guarantor? | * Why does the lender want a co-signer or guarantor? | ||
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* Can you afford to pay off the loan if the borrower can’t? | * Can you afford to pay off the loan if the borrower can’t? | ||
===Step 2. Ask the lender to keep you informed=== | |||
Ask the lender (in writing) to keep you informed in writing of all activity on the loan. This can help you catch a problem before it’s too late. | Ask the lender (in writing) to keep you informed in writing of all activity on the loan. This can help you catch a problem before it’s too late. | ||
===Step 3. When the loan is paid off=== | |||
Once the loan is fully repaid, take steps to end your responsibility. For example, ask the lender to return the original loan document to you. Or ask for a document releasing you from all liability for the debt. This could be a letter of acknowledgment, a copy of the borrower’s discharge, or a release. | Once the loan is fully repaid, take steps to end your responsibility. For example, ask the lender to return the original loan document to you. Or ask for a document releasing you from all liability for the debt. This could be a letter of acknowledgment, a copy of the borrower’s discharge, or a release. | ||
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