Domain Due Diligence
Report for Avant.com
Β Why we think so?Β
Avant.com is an online lending platform providing personal loans ranging from $2,000 to $35,000, primarily serving U.S. customers. The site attracts about 2.1 million visits monthly, with a global traffic rank near 21,000 and a mostly U.S.-based audience. Its technology infrastructure utilizes reputable services like Amazon Web Services and Cloudflare, indicating professional operations. However, Avant has been subject to notable regulatory actions and numerous consumer complaints regarding deceptive loan servicing practices, unauthorized charges, and poor dispute resolution. The Federal Trade Commission imposed a $3.85 million settlement for such practices and returned over $3.7 million to affected consumers. Multiple users have reported losses due to unauthorized withdrawals, fraudulent credit card charges, and difficulties with customer support. Avant has also faced state regulatory action for abusive debt collection. Overall, while the company operates a legitimate lending product with substantial web presence and technical backing, significant risks persist due to its history of reported deceptive and unfair practices. Users should exercise caution and consider potential issues before engaging with this service.
Risk Insights
Significant Regulatory Issues
- FTC fined Avant for deceptive loan servicing practices.
- State regulators penalized Avant for abusive debt collection.
- These issues have led to millions refunded to consumers.
Strong Web Presence and Infrastructure
- High monthly visits (~2.1 million), mainly from U.S.
- Operates on reliable hosting and CDN platforms.
- Has valid and trusted SSL certificates.
Contradictory Signals
Despite credible technical setup and user traffic, regulatory settlements and widespread complaints reveal serious trust problems.
Signal A: Strong technical and web traffic indicators
Signal B: Severe reputational and legal issues from consumer and regulatory sources
Category Scores
Red Flags & Warnings
- Multiple FTC settlements and regulatory fines for deceptive and unfair lending practices.
- Numerous user reports of unauthorized charges and poor customer service handling refunds and disputes.
- State regulatory actions for abusive debt collection practices and violations of consumer protection laws.
π Detailed Checks & Analysis
Domain and Technical Infrastructure
Score: 75/100
Domain and Technical Infrastructure
"The website is built with recognized technologies, including Cloudflare, Amazon hosting, and has valid SSL certificates issued by a trusted authority."
Reason: Avant.com uses professional hosting (Amazon AWS), security (DigiCert SSL), and content delivery networks, supporting credible infrastructure.
Traffic and Audience Assessment
Score: 70/100
Traffic and Audience Assessment
"Traffic metrics and search keyword analysis confirm the site's reach and user base in finance lending category."
Reason: The site shows high monthly traffic (~2.1 million visits) predominantly from the U.S., indicative of significant user engagement.
Reputation and Complaints
Score: 15/100
Reputation and Complaints
"FTC and state settlements, plus consumer complaints, document multiple issues with fraud, payments, and customer service."
Reason: Extensive reports and regulatory findings highlight deceptive practices, unauthorized charges, and poor dispute handling, impacting reputation negatively.
Legal and Regulatory Compliance
Score: 10/100
Legal and Regulatory Compliance
"Key actions include a $3.85M FTC settlement and Massachusetts $1.6M agreement addressing abusive practices."
Reason: The company has settled multiple legal actions and regulatory claims over unfair lending and debt collection practices.
Content and Business Validity
Score: 50/100
Content and Business Validity
"Loan ranges, APRs and application processes are clearly shown, but issues arise in loan servicing and customer support."
Reason: Lending products and terms appear transparent on the site though some consumer experience indicates otherwise.
Your Next Steps
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1
Avoid engaging in financial transactions with avant.com until concerns are resolved.
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2
If you are a current user, review your account carefully for unauthorized charges and monitor statements.
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3
Report any suspicious or unauthorized activity to your bank and relevant consumer protection agencies.
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4
Consult the FTC and state authorities' resources for potential redress or refund eligibility.
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5
Research alternative lenders with better regulatory and consumer feedback profiles.
Evidence & Citations
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FTC returns over $3.7 million to consumers harmed by online lender Avant
Official announcement of FTC enforcement and consumer refunds due to deceptive practices.
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Consumer complaints and reviews about Avant
Better Business Bureau and other complaint platforms document high volume of consumer issues.
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Avant settlement with Massachusetts Attorney General over debt collection abuses
State regulatory action resulting in multi-million dollar settlement for abusive collection.
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Avant.com website technology and traffic data
Analysis of domain technology stack, traffic volume, and geography.
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