How to check if a moneylender is licensed in Singapore (and spot loan sharks)

Published 16 July 2026 · Last updated 24 July 2026 · Reviewed by a licensed loan officer, Advance Cash Credit · General information, not a loan offer

Singapore has strict rules for moneylending, but illegal lenders — often called loan sharks or “Ah Longs” — still try to reach borrowers through unsolicited messages and calls. The good news is that checking whether a moneylender is licensed is quick, free and something anyone can do. This guide walks you through the official verification steps, then lists the warning signs of an unlicensed lender or scam.

Why the licence matters

Only a licensed moneylender is bound by the Moneylenders Act and its protections — capped interest, capped fees, a proper loan contract and in-person completion. An unlicensed lender follows none of these rules, may charge whatever it likes, and is committing a criminal offence. Borrowing from one can expose you to harassment and threats, so verifying the licence is the single most important step you can take.

How to verify a moneylender is licensed — step by step

1. Open the official Ministry of Law list. Go to the Registry of Moneylenders’ List of Licensed Moneylenders in Singapore. This is the single official register of every licensed moneylender in the country.
2. Check that the web address ends in .gov.sg. Government pages use a .gov.sg domain and HTTPS. This confirms you are looking at the real list and not a copycat site.
3. Search for the lender’s exact business name. Use your browser’s find function (Ctrl+F) to look up the company’s registered name. If the business is not on the list, it is not licensed — do not proceed, no matter what it claims.
4. Match the details. Confirm the licensee name and registered address on the list line up with the lender you are dealing with. Loan sharks sometimes borrow the name of a genuine licensed lender, so check the address and contact details too.
5. Confirm how they contacted you. Licensed moneylenders may only advertise through three permitted channels (see below). If a “lender” reached you by SMS, WhatsApp, a phone call or social media, that alone is a strong sign it is unlicensed — even if a similar name appears on the list.

As an example, you can look up Advance Cash Credit Pte. Ltd. on the same Ministry of Law list to confirm our Licence No. 79/2026 — that is exactly the check we would encourage you to run on any moneylender.

The only channels a licensed moneylender may advertise through

Under the Registrar’s Directions on Advertising & Marketing Activities, a licensed moneylender in Singapore may advertise through just three channels:

• Business or consumer directories (in print or online);
• Its own website; and
• Advertisements placed within or on the outside of its business premises.

Every other channel is prohibited. Licensed moneylenders are not allowed to solicit you by SMS, WhatsApp, phone call, email or social media. So any unsolicited loan offer arriving by text or messaging app is either a licensed lender breaking the rules or, far more likely, an unlicensed one. The Ministry of Law advises borrowers not to respond to such messages.

Red flags of a loan shark or scam

Alongside checking the licence, watch for these warning signs. If you see any of them, stop and do not send money or share information:

• Unsolicited loan offers by SMS, WhatsApp, phone call or social media — a licensed lender cannot legally contact you this way.
• Asking for your Singpass login, or for your bank or ATM card and PIN. A genuine lender never needs these.
• Requiring a “deposit”, “admin fee” or “processing fee” paid by bank transfer before any loan is disbursed. Legitimate fees are deducted from the loan, not collected up front.
• Approving a loan entirely over SMS or WhatsApp with no in-person visit. Under the Moneylenders Act, a licensed loan must be completed face-to-face at the lender’s approved place of business.
• Interest or fees above the legal caps (see below), or a refusal to put terms in a written contract.
• Threats, harassment or pressure to borrow quickly or to take more than you need.

Know the legal cost caps

Knowing the maximum a licensed moneylender may charge helps you spot an illegal one. By law, a licensed moneylender may charge:

• Interest of up to 4% per month, on the amount you still owe;
• Late interest of up to 4% per month, on the overdue amount only;
• A one-time approval fee of up to 10% of the loan principal; and
• A late fee of up to $60 for each month a payment is late.

There is also an overall ceiling: the total of all interest and fees on a loan cannot exceed the principal. Anyone quoting figures above these caps is not operating within the law.

What to do if you suspect a loan shark

If you receive an unsolicited loan message or believe you are dealing with an unlicensed moneylender, do not respond and do not send any money. You can report it to the authorities:

• Submit a report to the Singapore Police Force online via i-Witness, or call the Police hotline at 1800-255-0000.
• Call the anti-loan-shark X-Ah Long hotline at 1800-924 5664 to make a report (including anonymously).
• If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999.

How Advance Cash Credit can help

Advance Cash Credit Pte. Ltd. is a licensed moneylender registered with the Registry of Moneylenders, Ministry of Law (Licence No. 79/2026), and you can confirm this on the Ministry of Law list linked above. We complete every loan in person, put all terms in writing, and lend within the legal caps. If you would like to understand your options, you can submit an application, send an enquiry, or call us at 6737 5737 and a loan officer will follow up within one hour on working days.

Sources: Ministry of Law, Registry of Moneylenders — List of Licensed Moneylenders in Singapore, FAQs on Borrowing From Licensed Moneylenders, and What should I do if I receive SMS from moneylenders?; Singapore Police Force — Unlicensed Moneylending advisory. This article is general information based on the rules in force at the time of writing and does not constitute a loan offer or financial advice. All loans are subject to assessment under the Moneylenders Act, and Advance Cash completes every loan in person at our office. Please borrow responsibly.