Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to file an online loan harassment complaint in the Philippines, including which agencies to contact and how to make your case strong:
1. Document the Harassment
- Screenshots and Recordings: Capture all harassing messages, emails, social media posts, and call logs (with dates and times). Record threatening calls if possible and safe to do so.
- Detailed Notes: Write down everything relevant: the lender’s name, contact details used, specific threats made, and the names of any individuals involved.
2. Identify the Appropriate Agencies
- National Privacy Commission (NPC): Your primary resource for online loan harassment. They handle data privacy violations and illegal debt collection practices. File a complaint on their website (https://www.privacy.gov.ph/) or email info@privacy.gov.ph
- Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC): If the online lender is SEC-registered, report their abusive practices to the SEC (https://www.sec.gov.ph/).
- Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP): If the harassment involves a bank or supervised financial institution, file a complaint with the BSP (https://www.bsp.gov.ph/).
- Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG): Contact them for severe threats, blackmail, or potential criminal activity (http://www.pnpacg.ph/ or pnp.acg@gmail.com).
3. Craft a Strong Complaint
Include the following in your complaints to each agency:
- Your Information: Name, address, contact details.
- Lender’s Information: Company name (if known), phone numbers, emails, website.
- Detailed Description of the Harassment: Explain the specific abusive tactics (threats, public shaming, contacting your network, etc.).
- Evidence: Attach screenshots, recordings, and your notes.
- Impact: Describe how the harassment has affected you (stress, anxiety, financial hardship).
- Know Your Rights: Emphasize the lender’s violations of the Data Privacy Act and Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
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