You may find yourself in a cash crunch for whatever reason, but avoid seeking a quick fix: you'll end up worse off. Don't fall for advance-fee loan scams. These rackets target consumers who are at a breaking point by offering quick and easy loan approval and funding. The documents may even bare the logos of legitimate financial institutions. Watch out for 'guaranteed' loans; upfront application fees; loan origination outside the us; and wired loan transfers. If you suspect a scam, contact the fdic's internet crime complaint center.