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Lending Tree offers the following guidelines for consumers using the Internet to find a loan:

Use Web sites with a secure mode of data transfer. Check for sites that encrypt your information using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology. Look for the key or lock icon on your browser, usually found in the lower right-hand corner of the page. Also, if you expect to return to a site repeatedly (to review your loan offer, for instance), make sure the site asks you to enter a password and other personal identifier when you log in to ensure that you are the only person accessing your file.

Choose a company you can trust. There are hundreds of online lenders out there, so you might try narrowing your search to the brands you recognize and know have a reputation for service and dependability. Not sure where to look? Check for memberships with the Better Business Bureau, the area Chamber of Commerce, or the TRUSTe program. And, if you're using a service that "matches" you with lenders, look to see if they've pre-screened the lenders on their networks. Some offer "lender scorecards" and other tracking mechanisms that can help you feel more confident.

Make sure there's a toll-free number to reach a real, live person. You may not need the help, but you've got to have the option. A knowledgeable contact (with whom you can actually speak!) can make life a lot easier if you have questions along the way.

Set your offline expectations with your lender up front. Make sure you have a dedicated loan officer, and work with him or her to determine a concrete closing date, set a schedule of due dates for paperwork, and review the good faith estimate of closing costs-both at the outset of the process and just prior to closing-to avoid any surprises at the settlement table.

Protect your privacy. Only work with lenders that are committed to protecting your privacy. Take the time to read and agree with your lender's privacy policy before you hand over your name, social security number and address. Businesses that put your privacy first won't sell or share any personal information without your approval.

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