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Financial Literacy

Are abusive OLAs harassing you and your contacts? Here is exactly how to fight back

Sep 1, 2026 · 2 min readBy KasKasan Buddies

Abusive online lending apps can use threats, public shaming, and unauthorized contact to pressure borrowers. Learn about your rights and the steps you can take to document and report illegal collection practices.

  • With the rise of digital financing, thousands of borrowers are falling victim to aggressive, humiliating, and illegal collection practices by Online Lending Apps (OLAs). While settling debts remains a financial responsibility, no borrower deserves to be subjected to public shaming or threats.
  • If you or someone you know is currently dealing with a predatory lending app, here is a comprehensive guide on your rights and the exact steps to protect yourself.
  • The Line Between Collection and Harassment

Abusive online lending apps can use threats, public shaming, and unauthorized contact to pressure borrowers. Learn about your rights and the steps you can take to document and report illegal collection practices.

  • With the rise of digital financing, thousands of borrowers are falling victim to aggressive, humiliating, and illegal collection practices by Online Lending Apps (OLAs). While settling debts remains a financial responsibility, no borrower deserves to be subjected to public shaming or threats.
  • If you or someone you know is currently dealing with a predatory lending app, here is a comprehensive guide on your rights and the exact steps to protect yourself.
  • The Line Between Collection and Harassment

With the rise of digital financing, thousands of borrowers are falling victim to aggressive, humiliating, and illegal collection practices by Online Lending Apps (OLAs). While settling debts remains a financial responsibility, no borrower deserves to be subjected to public shaming or threats.

If you or someone you know is currently dealing with a predatory lending app, here is a comprehensive guide on your rights and the exact steps to protect yourself.

The Line Between Collection and Harassment

Many borrowers endure abuse simply because they are unaware of their legal protections. According to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Memorandum Circular No. 18, Series of 2019, lending and financing companies are strictly prohibited from using unfair debt collection practices.

• Similar to the Credit Card Association of the Philippines (CCAP) guidelines for banks, the SEC mandates that the following tactics are completely illegal:

• Threats of Violence: Any use or threat to use violence or criminal means to harm a person, their reputation, or their property.

• Foul Language: The use of obscenities, insults, or profane language intended to abuse the borrower.

• Public Shaming: Publishing the borrower's name or posting about their debt on social media platforms.

• Unauthorized Contact: Contacting people in the borrower's phonebook or social media networks who are not explicitly listed as guaranteed co-makers.

• Unreasonable Hours: Reaching out at ungodly hours (generally before 6:00 AM or after 10:00 PM) unless the borrower previously consented.

A 5-Step Action Plan for Victims is in the comments below.

The Bottom Line

Financial struggles happen, but being in debt does not strip you of your fundamental rights. If you are experiencing harassment, document the evidence, know the law, and report the abuse.