by: MycaPosted on:

Horrors and Real Life Experience using Online Lending Apps

Are the rumors true? Do Online Lending Apps really harass their clients when it comes to collections?

Online lending apps are those you can download from the Google Play Store that offer quick loans to users, which explains their surge in popularity especially with all the heavy advertising. But there have been alarming reports including authorities raiding some of their collection agencies. One story even made headlines about a borrower who was harassed with flowers meant for the dead. So is it really safe to borrow from these apps? And what should you be aware of after taking out a loan from them?

Repayment

There’s no brainy that we should be all responsible of paying our depts. Online Lending Apps has a repayment section in the app where you should only generate payment and QR codes. This way you can actually see the reflection of your payment deducting into your loan.

Beware of the Following before Repayment

  1. Beware of the emails and texts giving payment or QR codes saying they will accept only the principal amount of the loan. Its a type of scam.
  2. Beware of the social media posts/comments saying they can delete your loan information. No one can delete your transaction. This is also a type of scam.

Reminders on your Due date

Before getting a loan, borrowers usually have to fill out a form that asks for 3 to 5 contact references from their phone’s contact list. When your payment is due, an agent is assigned to your account to remind you about your repayment. They’ll send you the details of your loan and how much you need to pay. And from what I’ve seen, if they can’t reach you, they won’t hesitate to call and text the people you listed as references.

STOP LOAN PATCHING OR DEPT CYCLING

Many borrowers get caught in the cycle of taking out new loans just to pay off old ones. I strongly advise against this. It might seem manageable when it’s just your second app, but over time, the number of online lending apps you owe money to will only grow. Your debts won’t actually get paid off, and it becomes harder and harder to keep up with the payments.

If you can’t pay on the due date, my advice is to communicate directly with your assigned agent or the customer service team of the online lending app. Send them an email explaining your situation. Make sure to get the official customer service email and contact details only from the app itself. Avoid asking for this information in social media groups because there’s a high chance you’ll be given fake contacts and end up getting scammed.

If you’re already stuck in the cycle of loan patching and want to break free, here are some personal tips:

  • List all your loans. Create a detailed spreadsheet with the loan amounts, due dates, and payment schedules. The more detailed, the better. Then figure out how much you can realistically pay.
  • Accept that you’re facing this problem. Acknowledging it is the first step to solving it.
  • Cancel any monthly subscriptions or non-essential expenses. It’s important to save as much as you can.
  • Cut back on eating out or ordering food. Prepare meals at home to save money.
  • Consider having a garage sale or selling items you no longer need that have value.
  • Look for ways to earn extra income.
  • Stop loan patching. Communicate your difficulties honestly with the lending app’s customer service. Be prepared to accept any penalties. They’re better than falling deeper into debt.

Warnings!

  1. Communicate only at the legitimate email and contact information directly at the App.
  2. Don’t get or asks for contact information at social media.
  3. Don’t rely on the posts saying that they were allowed to pay only the principal amount of the loan and then gives out an email. There’s a high chance that it is a scam.

If you did not research about the lending app before you applied the loan. Try to do it. There are thousands of people posting about their online lending app.

Harassments

Is it really true that these lenders harass their borrowers to pressure them into paying? From my experience, some agents are reasonable and even kind when you talk to them. But unfortunately, most can be very harsh and aggressive. Many have no problem crossing the line with their tactics.

Some of the common forms of harassment include:

  • Using curse words
  • Making threats
  • Holding your personal information hostage
  • Threatening to post embarrassing details about you on social media
  • Even going as far as sending death threats

It’s a harsh reality that many borrowers face, and it’s important to know that this kind of behavior is not acceptable.

Harassments thru Social Media

A lot of agents are not professional and will post you online particularly on social media platforms. They will also find your friend list and will include them all in a group chat just to say that the borrower is a scammer not paying his/her dept. Just to embarrass you and intimidate you into paying.

What to do when you are being harass by an Online Lending Apps?

  1. Make a folder of screenshots of all the harassment per online lending app.
  2. If you recognized that you are being harassed on call, you may record it the conversation and add this on your evidence.
  3. Communicate this to the legitimate customer service of the Online Lending app, Email the official complaint to them and attach the screenshot and evidences.
  4. Make an official sworn statement of the detailed complaint save it in pdf form.

If the Online Lending App strongly denying your complaint. That is when you have to file an official complaints to the appropriate authorities.

Securities and Exchange Commission

The SEC or Securities and Exchange Commission is a government agency that regulates Lending Companies and may vary depending on what country you are in. But in the Philippines you can know if the Lending Company is SEC Registered by searching the company name here https://checkwithsec.sec.gov.ph/check-with-sec/index

You can make a complaint at SEC in two ways.

  1. Using https://imessage.sec.gov.ph/
    • Make an account into their complaint ticketing website. https://imessage.sec.gov.ph/
    • Make a ticket for your Complaint.
    • Select the Financing and Lending Companies Division on the Subject.
    • You can upload there the official complaint along with the screenshots evidence.
  2. Email

National Privacy Commission

In the Philippines, the privacy of individuals is protected by the Data Privacy Act of 2012. This law requires that personal information can only be collected, used, or shared with the consent of the owner. You can learn more about it at https://privacy.gov.ph/data-privacy-act/#w1. Simply put, no one is allowed to post or share someone else’s personal information without their permission.

Many of the collection agents of the online lending app violated the law when they use the personal information they gathered as a hostage to intimidate the borrowers to pay. You can file a complaint and download the form at https://privacy.gov.ph/filing-a-complaint :

A formal complaint needs to be filed in a specific format. You may use the downloadable form below and follow these steps:

1. Download the form found at https://privacy.gov.ph/filing-a-complaint/
2. Print and fill out
3. Have it notarized
4. Then submit to NPC (3 options):
in person send via courier service, or scan and email it to [email protected]

National Police

Every Country has its national Police. But in the Philippines you can file complaint against the online lending app in the Philippine National Police. Specially when the harassment includes grave and death threats the case will be criminally investigated. You can visit the nearest Police Station on you.

NBI Cybercrime Division

You can also report to the NBI Cybercrime Division, especially if the threats are coming from online sources like apps, SMS, or social media. You can file a report online at https://nbi.gov.ph/contact/ or visit the nearest NBI office in person.

While it’s our responsibility to pay back any loans we take, as borrowers, we also have rights that need to be respected.

Borrowers’ Rights in the Philippines

  1. Right to Clear Loan Terms
    The terms and conditions of your loan—like interest rates, due dates, penalties, and total amount payable—must be clear and easy to understand. Contracts shouldn’t be confusing or vague.
  2. Right to Fair Interest Rates
    Interest rates should be reasonable. According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), rates must not be abusive and must be clearly explained before you sign any agreement.
  3. Right to Be Free from Harassment or Public Shaming
    Threats, insults, posting your debt details online, or contacting your family and friends to collect are prohibited. These protections come from:
    • Republic Act No. 10173 (Data Privacy Act)
    • SEC Memorandum Circular No. 18, Series of 2019 (which bans abusive collection practices)
      You have the right to ignore calls or texts that harass you.
  4. Right to Privacy
    Lending apps can’t just access your contacts, photos, or other personal data without permission. If they use this info to threaten or embarrass you, you can report them to the National Privacy Commission (NPC).
  5. Right to File Complaints with the Proper Authorities
    If you’ve been wronged, you can file complaints with:
    • SEC for issues with lending companies
    • NPC for misuse of your personal data
    • PNP or NBI for criminal threats or harassment
    • DSWD or your barangay if you experience psychological abuse or coercion
  6. Right to Refuse Unagreed Charges
    Lenders can’t add fees, charges, or penalties that aren’t clearly stated in your contract.
  7. Right to Proper Payment Methods
    You deserve clear and legal ways to pay your loan. No one should force or pressure you into paying in a way that feels unfair or illegal.

Your Mental Health Matters

Stay strong. Don’t let the threats or harassment break you down. Remember, suicide or self-harm is never the answer.

Talk to someone you trust—whether it’s your family, your spouse, or a close friend. Having someone to share your struggles with can really help, and they might even assist you in filing reports if needed.

Try not to spend too much time searching online about harassment—it can make things worse.

Take a deep breath. Pause. Inhale… exhale.

Don’t delete any messages or calls that contain harassment. If you don’t want to see them, you can block those numbers or mute them in your settings.

Look for free mental health support groups:

  • National Center for Mental Health (NCMH): 1553 (free, 24/7 hotline)
  • Mental Health PH: www.mentalhealthph.org
  • Philippine Mental Health Association: They have regional branches offering counseling

Don’t panic. Make a list of what you need to do and take it one step at a time.

Final Tips:

  • Document everything
  • File a complaint when necessary
  • Know your rights
  • Take care of your mental health
  • Stay calm and don’t panic