Bears LendingYour information, and exactly what we do with it.
You give us an ID, a pay stub and a bank account. Here's where that goes, who can see it, and what we will never do with it — plus how to recognize the scams that use lender names like ours.
Six controls on every application
Applies online and in store. Audited annually as part of our state examinations.
Encryption in transit
Every page and form on bearslending.com is served over TLS 1.2+. Application data is encrypted before it leaves your device.
TLS 1.2+Encryption at rest
Applications, agreements and ID images are stored encrypted. Bank connection tokens are held by the connection provider, not by us.
AES-256Read-only bank access
The online application uses a read-only connection to verify income and account status. It cannot move money and expires after underwriting.
Read-onlyLeast access
Store staff see only the loans they service. Underwriting, compliance and IT have separate, logged access. No shared logins.
LoggedRetention limits
Declined applications are deleted after 25 months (the federal record-keeping minimum). Funded-loan records are kept as required by state law, then destroyed.
25 monthsPaper in store
ID copies and agreements are stored in locked cabinets and shredded on schedule. Nothing leaves the store in a bag.
Locked · shreddedWhere your data goes — and where it doesn't
The complete list. If a company isn't named here, it doesn't get your information.
Only what the loan requires
Credit bureaus (soft/hard inquiries and monthly reporting where the product reports). The state payday database in Florida. Our bank-connection and ACH providers. Your state regulator on examination. A court, if legally compelled.
- Bureaus, for the products that report
- FL deferred presentment database
- ACH and bank-connection providers
Not sold, not brokered, not marketed
Your application is never sold to other lenders or lead buyers. We don't share with marketers or data brokers. We don't use your data to target ads. Declining an offer doesn't put you on anyone's list.
- No lead sales
- No data brokers
- No ad targeting
What you can ask us to do with your information
Email [email protected] with your name and the store. We respond within 10 business days.
See it
Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you, including any credit report data we used.
10 business daysCorrect it
Ask us to fix an error in your name, address, income record or payment history. Corrections to bureau reporting are sent within 30 days.
30 days to bureausDelete it
Request deletion of declined-application data any time, and of funded-loan data once the state retention period ends.
Subject to retention lawStop marketing
Opt out of text and email marketing with STOP or one click. Payment reminders continue while a loan is open.
ImmediateLimit sharing
Opt out of the limited affiliate sharing described in the privacy policy.
ImmediateReport a problem
Report a suspected breach or misuse of your data. Confirmed incidents are disclosed to affected customers and regulators.
[email protected]Four things we will never do — so you can spot an impostor
We never charge a fee before funding — no processing, verification or insurance fee paid upfront. Hang up and call (855) 555-0199 directly.
We only contact people who applied. Unsolicited approval texts are phishing. Don't click the link; forward it to [email protected].
Failing to repay a loan is never a crime. Bears Lending and any licensed lender is prohibited from threatening criminal action. Ask for the company's license number and check it with your state regulator.
Our application uses a read-only bank connection through a named provider, and never asks you to type a password into our site. Similar-name sites are common; check the URL is bearslending.com and the license number matches ours.
Questions about this page
Do you sell my information?
No. Never to lenders, lead buyers, marketers or data brokers. The complete list of who receives data is above.
Is the online application safe on my phone?
Yes. It runs over TLS, uses a read-only bank connection, and doesn't store your ID image on the device.
What happens to my data if I'm declined?
It's kept 25 months to meet federal adverse-action record rules, then deleted. You can request earlier deletion of anything not required to be kept.
How do I know a call or text is really from you?
We call from store numbers and (855) 555-0199, and text from our short code. We never ask for a payment by gift card, wire or prepaid card, and never ask for your bank password. When in doubt, hang up and call us.
Who do I contact about privacy?
[email protected], or the Chief Compliance Officer at (855) 555-0199.
Your data works for
your loan, nothing else.
Encrypted, read-only, never sold. Apply with the same confidence you'd have at the counter.
- TLS encryption
- Read-only bank access
- No data sales
- Privacy rights honored
Suspect a scam using our name? Email [email protected] or call (855) 555-0199.
Store hours