I can see clearly that we have different opinions on this subject. What everyone suggesting is a safer approach which is ok but as a lender I get asked from users to accept their account as the collateral.
You can deny them of a loan and then point them to the sticky thread which tells people about what a valid collateral is.
In some cases these members do not have anything else to offer but they need the fund desperately.
Desperation to seek money is the first sign that they will default. One who is willing to do a steady business will try to negotiate. But you can always say that I am wrong and go about your own way.
I found few of them are legit users and they have no intention to default the loan. How do you deal with them? Don't they deserve a fair deal since the forum has not such rules which stops account taking as collateral.
The rules of the forum are clear and so is the stance of the DT. But its upto you what you take as collateral because it is your loan shop. They wont "bend" the rules in order to "help" any lender or borrower.