Loan app and recovery agent harassment: how to file a complaint and stop it

To file a loan app harassment complaint, save the evidence, complain in writing to the lender's grievance officer, escalate to the RBI Ombudsman after 30 days, and report threats or morphed photos to the cyber police at cybercrime.gov.in or 1930. This guide is for anyone facing threats, abusive calls or messages to their contacts from a loan app or a bank's recovery agent.

What RBI rules say about recovery agents and loan apps

These rules come from RBI's guidelines on recovery agents and its digital lending directions, which apply to every bank and NBFC and to the apps working for them. Google Play's personal loan policy for India also bars loan apps from accessing contacts and photos.

How to file a loan app harassment complaint, step by step

1. 1Do not pay extra money to a personal UPI ID to stop the threats; it usually leads to more demands.
2. 2Save evidence: screenshots with numbers and dates, call logs, recordings, and messages your contacts received.
3. 3Find the real lender's name in your Key Fact Statement or loan agreement.
4. 4Email the lender's grievance redressal officer with the evidence attached, and keep the acknowledgement.
5. 5If there is no reply or an unsatisfactory one within 30 days, file with the RBI Ombudsman at cms.rbi.org.in.
6. 6Report threats, defamation or morphed photos at cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930, and file a police complaint.
7. 7Report the app to Google Play and warn close contacts to ignore messages about you.

Loan recovery harassment complaint (bank or NBFC loans)

The same steps apply when a bank's or NBFC's recovery agent harasses you. Write down the agent's name, number and agency, and the date and time of each call or visit. The lender is responsible for the conduct of the agents it engages, so your complaint goes to the lender first, and then to the RBI Ombudsman.

Which laws apply to threats and morphed photos

Threats, messages to your contacts and edited images can amount to offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, such as criminal intimidation, defamation and extortion, and under the Information Technology Act, 2000 for privacy violations and obscene content. The police can register a case on your complaint.

What if the loan app is illegal?

If no RBI-regulated bank or NBFC stands behind the app, report it on RBI's Sachet portal and to the cyber police, and get advice before paying anything further. RBI also publishes a directory of digital lending apps reported by regulated lenders, which helps you check an app.

Stopping the harassment while you repay or settle

A complaint deals with the harassment; it does not cancel a genuine loan. Once the harassment is reported, a settlement or repayment plan can be negotiated with the regulated lender in writing, and payment goes only to its official account.

Conclusion: a loan app harassment complaint works best in order

File your loan app harassment complaint in order: evidence, lender, RBI Ombudsman, and cyber police for threats. You have clear rights under RBI rules and criminal law. If the calls are affecting your work or family, a legal expert can take over communication with the lender while your loan is settled.