Loan app harassment in Nigeria has become a distressing reality for many borrowers. This complete guide provides expert tips and the proven methods you need to fight back legally.
Facing constant calls, defamatory messages to your contacts, and threats from loan apps is illegal. You have rights and clear channels for redress under Nigerian law.
Requirements / What You Need
- Evidence of Harassment: Screenshots of threatening SMS, WhatsApp messages, or in-app chats. Recordings of abusive phone calls (check your phone’s built-in recorder) are also crucial. Save the names and numbers of the calling agents.
- Loan Transaction Details: Screenshots of the loan agreement, disbursement alert, and any repayment receipts or bank statements. Note the exact loan amount, the app’s name, and your account number with them.
- Your Valid ID: A clear copy of any government-issued identification like your National Identity Number (NIN) slip, International Passport, Driver’s License, or Voter’s Card.
- Contact List Proof (If Defamed): If the app sent messages to your contacts, get sworn affidavits or statements from at least two of them confirming they received defamatory messages about you. This is a powerful piece of evidence many Nigerians overlook.
- Basic Tech Access: A smartphone or access to a cyber café to compile digital evidence into a PDF or Word document. Be prepared for potential network issues; save everything offline.
- Official Fees: Reporting to the police or FCCPC is typically free. However, if you choose to get an affidavit from a court or a lawyer’s letter, budget between ₦2,000 to ₦10,000 depending on location and firm.
Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Gather and Organize Your Evidence
Immediately start collecting all proof. Save every SMS, take screenshots of every chat, and note down every harassing call with date and time. Compile these into a single folder on your phone or a USB drive. A common mistake is having scattered evidence; a well-organized file makes your case stronger and processing faster.
Step 2: Lodge a Formal Complaint with the FCCPC
Visit the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) website. Navigate to the complaints portal and fill out the online form detailing the harassment, attaching your compiled evidence. If the portal is slow or down—a frequent issue—visit their office in your state or send the complaint via email. You will receive a tracking number; keep it safe for follow-ups.
Step 3: Report to the Police via the Police Cybercrime Unit
Take your evidence to the nearest police station with a Cybercrime Unit, such as the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex in Alagbon, Lagos, or your state command. Insist on writing a formal petition, not just a casual report. You will be asked to provide a statement. Be prepared for possible delays; follow up persistently with your assigned investigating officer (IPO).
Step 4: Notify Your Bank (If Applicable)
If the loan app has threatened or attempted to debit your account unlawfully, visit your bank branch immediately. Request to speak to a customer service manager and file a formal complaint, providing your evidence. Ask them to place an alert or restriction on any unauthorized debit attempt from that app’s merchant name. This is a protective, not curative, step.
Step 5: Escalate to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
For apps licensed by the CBN, file a complaint through the CBN Consumer Protection Department portal. This step carries significant weight as it targets the app’s operating license. Clearly state that you have already reported to the FCCPC and the police. The process is bureaucratic, so patience and consistent follow-up via email or phone are essential.
Alternative Methods
If the primary online and police routes seem daunting, consider these alternative approaches tailored to different Nigerian realities.
For a faster, community-based intervention, report the app to your local consumer protection forum or the Citizens’ Mediation Centre (available in states like Lagos and Abuja). These centres offer free mediation services and can summon the loan app’s representatives for a resolution meeting. This is better when you seek a quick settlement to stop the harassment without a lengthy legal battle.
If you are a student or staff of a federal university, leverage your institution’s legal aid clinic. Many universities like the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and University of Ibadan (UI) have clinics that provide free legal advice and can help draft petitions to the appropriate agencies. This method is ideal for students with limited funds.
For a more forceful legal approach, you can instruct a lawyer to send a formal “Letter of Demand” or “Cease and Desist” to the loan app’s registered office. While this costs between ₦15,000 to ₦50,000, it often yields immediate results as it signals your readiness for court. Use this if the harassment is extreme and other reports have been ignored.
Common Problems and Solutions
Problem: The FCCPC or Police Portal is Down or Unresponsive
This is a frequent frustration due to server issues or maintenance. Many Nigerians give up at this point. Solution: Do not rely solely on the online portal. Visit the physical office of the FCCPC in your state capital or the Police Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) annex. Alternatively, send your formal complaint via email to the official addresses (e.g., contact@fccpc.gov.ng) and follow up with a phone call. Persistence across multiple channels is key.
Problem: The Loan App Used Fake or Unregistered Details
You may discover the company’s registered address with the CAC (Corporate Affairs Commission) is a “packaged office” in Ikoyi or Abuja, making physical service of notices difficult. Solution: Focus your report on the digital footprint. Provide the FCCPC and police with the app’s name, Google Play Store/Apple App Store developer details, and the bank account number they use for collections. Regulatory bodies can use these to trace the operators through their financial partners.
Problem: Police or Agency “Delay Tactics” and Lack of Feedback
After filing your report, you may hear nothing for weeks, a common experience that discourages victims. Solution: Politely but firmly follow up every 5-7 working days. Ask for the name and contact of your assigned Investigating Police Officer (IPO) or complaint desk officer. When following up, reference your complaint number and offer to provide additional evidence. This consistent pressure shows you are serious and keeps your file active.
Problem: The Harassment Intensifies After You Report
Agents may threaten you more for daring to report them, a scare tactic to make you back down. Solution: Document this escalation meticulously as new evidence. Immediately submit this new evidence to the agencies where you already filed a report. This strengthens your case, proving the app’s misconduct is ongoing and wilful, which can lead to heavier sanctions against them.
Fees, Costs and Timeline
Officially, filing a complaint with the FCCPC or the Police Cybercrime Unit is free of charge. You should not pay any money to lodge the report itself. Be wary of agents or touts at offices who may demand unofficial “processing fees” ranging from ₦500 to ₦5,000; insist on the official, free process.
However, ancillary costs may arise. Getting a sworn affidavit from a High Court to support your petition typically costs between ₦2,000 to ₦5,000, depending on the state. If you opt for a lawyer’s cease-and-desist letter, budget ₦15,000 to ₦50,000.
The timeline is often the biggest cost. Initial acknowledgment from an agency can take 3-10 working days. A full investigation and resolution, however, can stretch from 4 weeks to several months, depending on the agency’s workload and the complexity of your case. Persistent follow-up is crucial to avoid your file being forgotten.
Warnings and Scams to Avoid
- Fake “Agents” or “Consultants”: Be cautious of individuals on social media or at agency premises claiming they can “fast-track” your complaint for a fee. Legitimate processes with the FCCPC, CBN, or Police are free. Only use official channels and portals.
- Phishing Websites and Portals: Scammers create fake look-alike websites of the FCCPC or police to steal your personal and financial details. Always double-check the website URL (e.g., fccpc.gov.ng) and avoid clicking links from unsolicited SMS or WhatsApp messages.
- WhatsApp/Telegram “Resolution Groups”: You may be added to groups promising to help victims for a “small contribution.” These are often scams to extort more money. No legitimate government agency operates complaint resolution through private WhatsApp groups.
- Upfront Legal Fees Promising Guaranteed Results: Avoid lawyers or firms that demand large upfront payments (e.g., ₦100,000+) with a guarantee to “shut down” the loan app. Reputable lawyers will offer a consultation first and explain realistic outcomes based on evidence.
Acceptance, Use and Next Steps
Your official report is accepted and actionable by key Nigerian regulatory bodies: the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), the Nigeria Police Force (especially the Cybercrime Unit), and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for licensed lenders. These are the primary authorities empowered to investigate, sanction, and in some cases, delist offending loan apps from official channels.
Once you have submitted your complaint, your immediate next step is to secure your complaint reference number from each agency. Use this number to follow up politely but consistently every 7-10 working days via phone or email. Simultaneously, continue to document any new harassment as fresh evidence to submit, strengthening your case.
It is important to understand the limitations. A successful report will stop the harassment against you and may lead to penalties for the company, but it does not automatically erase your debt if it is legally owed. The process is also not instantaneous; it requires patience and persistence. Your goal is to stop the illegal harassment tactics, not necessarily to avoid a legitimate loan obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can loan apps legally contact my contacts in Nigeria?
No, it is illegal. The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has explicitly banned this practice under its Digital Lending Guidelines. Contacting your friends, family, or colleagues with defamatory messages to shame you into repayment constitutes harassment and a violation of your data privacy. This is a primary offense you should report.
What if I can’t find the loan app’s company name or address?
This is common. Focus on reporting the digital evidence you have: the app’s name on the Google Play Store, the developer details listed there, and the bank account number they use for transactions. Regulatory bodies like the FCCPC and CBN can use these details to trace the operators through their financial partners and the app stores.
Will reporting the app to the police affect my credit score?
Reporting harassment to the police or FCCPC does not directly impact your credit score with the Credit Bureau of Nigeria. However, if the loan was from a CBN-licensed lender and you defaulted, that default may have already been reported. The report addresses the illegal harassment method, not the debt’s validity.
How long does it take for the harassment to stop after reporting?
There is no fixed timeline. If the agency acts swiftly by contacting the lender, it could stop within a few days. However, you should be prepared for a process that takes several weeks. The key is to continue documenting any ongoing harassment as new evidence and submitting it to strengthen your case.
Can I report a loan app if I am still owing the money?
Yes, absolutely. You are reporting the illegal method of recovery (harassment, defamation, threats), not the debt itself. Nigerian law separates the legitimacy of a loan from the legality of its collection methods. You have the right to be treated with dignity even if you are in default.
Which is more effective: reporting to FCCPC or the police?
For a comprehensive approach, report to both. The FCCPC has direct regulatory power to sanction and delist apps. The police have the power to investigate and prosecute criminal intimidation. Starting with the FCCPC is common, but involving the police cybercrime unit adds significant legal pressure, making a combined approach most effective.
What should I do if the loan app is not registered with the CBN?
Many harassing apps are unlicensed. In this case, the FCCPC and the Police Cybercrime Unit are your primary channels. The FCCPC can request Google and Apple to remove the app from their stores, while the police can investigate the operators for cyberstalking and intimidation under the Cybercrimes Act.
Disclaimer
This guide is for informational purposes based on publicly available Nigerian regulations and procedures, including the FCCPC Digital Lending Guidelines and the Cybercrimes Act. It does not constitute legal advice. Laws and agency processes are subject to change. For specific legal counsel, please consult a qualified legal practitioner in Nigeria. The author is not affiliated with the FCCPC, NPF, or CBN.