Quick Summary
If a loan app in Nigeria is harassing your contacts, you have legal protection. The Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has made it illegal for digital lenders to contact your friends, family, or employer for debt collection. As of September 2026, the FCCPC has approved 525 digital lenders, placed 112 apps on its watchlist, and removed 54 apps from the Google Play Store for violations. This guide provides a step-by-step action plan to stop harassment, report violators, and choose safe loan apps.
Quick Answer
Loan app harassment is illegal in Nigeria under the FCCPC’s Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations 2025 (DEON Regulations). If a loan app contacts your contacts without your explicit, informed consent, you can: (1) gather evidence, (2) demand the app stop, (3) report to the FCCPC at [email protected], (4) file a police report if threatened, and (5) consider legal action for damages. Always borrow only from FCCPC-approved lenders to avoid harassment.
Key Takeaways
- Harassment by loan apps is illegal under the DEON Regulations 2025, with fines up to ₦100 million.
- Only 525 digital lenders are fully approved by the FCCPC as of September 2026 — always verify before borrowing.
- Document all evidence (screenshots, call logs, affidavits) before filing a complaint.
- Report violations to the FCCPC via email or their toll-free line: +2348000002121.
- Prefer bank-backed apps like FairMoney, Carbon, or Kuda Bank for safer borrowing.
Is Harassment by Loan Apps Legal in Nigeria?
No. Full stop.
On 21 July 2025, the FCCPC’s Digital, Electronic, Online or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations 2025 (DEON Regulations) came into effect (FCCPC official announcement). These regulations make it illegal for any digital lender to:
- Contact your friends, family, employer, or colleagues for debt collection.
- Access your phone contacts, gallery, or messages before loan approval.
- Use abusive, threatening, or defamatory language.
- Share your loan details publicly (like posting on social media).
A brief legal tussle briefly paused enforcement. In April 2026, the West African Societies and Practitioners Association (WASPAN) obtained a court injunction, but on 20 July 2026, Justice A.L. Allagoa of the Federal High Court, Lagos, dismissed the suit in its entirety. The FCCPC immediately resumed full enforcement (Nairametrics, 9 Sept 2026).
Fines are steep: up to ₦100 million or 1% of the lender’s turnover, whichever is higher — plus disqualification of directors for up to five years.
So if a loan app is harassing your contacts, it is violating the law. You have the right to stop it.
Know Your Rights: The Legal Framework Protecting You
The FCCPC is the primary regulator for digital lenders in Nigeria — not the CBN, not the SEC. Here’s what you need to know:
| Regulation / Body | What It Does for You |
|---|---|
| DEON Regulations 2025 (FCCPC) | Prohibits contacting third parties; bans pre-approval access to contacts; requires full cost disclosure; fines up to ₦100 million |
| Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 & NDPR | Protects your personal data; lenders cannot misuse your contact list |
| Constitution of Nigeria (1999) | Right to privacy (Section 37) |
| FCCPA 2018 | Empowers FCCPC to investigate and sanction unfair practices |
Who is regulated? As of September 2026, only 525 digital lenders are fully approved by the FCCPC. Another 33 have registration waivers because they are already CBN-licensed (like bank-backed apps). If a lender is not on the approved list, it is operating illegally (Nairametrics, 9 Sept 2026).
The FCCPC also maintains a public watchlist of apps under investigation. As of this writing, 112 apps are on that list. An app’s presence on the Google Play Store is not proof of approval.
What to Do If a Loan App Harasses Your Contacts: Step-by-Step Action Plan
Follow these six steps in order. The faster you act, the sooner the harassment stops.
Step 1: Gather All Evidence
Before you complain, collect proof. This is critical. Save:
- Screenshots of texts, WhatsApp messages, or in-app notifications sent to your contacts.
- Call logs showing repeated calls from the app or its agents to your contacts.
- Recordings (where legal) of abusive phone conversations. Note: Nigeria requires one-party consent for call recording, so you can record calls you are part of.
- Affidavits from affected contacts — a written statement from your friend or boss confirming the harassment.
Organise everything in a folder. You’ll need it for the complaint.
Step 2: Contact the Loan App’s Customer Support
Open the app and look for a customer service email or in-app chat. Send a formal demand:
- Subject: “URGENT: Cease and desist — unauthorised contact of my third-party references”
- Body: State clearly that contacting your friends/family/employer is a violation of the DEON Regulations. Demand that they (a) stop immediately, (b) delete all data of your contacts from their system, and (c) confirm in writing within 48 hours.
- Attach evidence if you have it.
Keep your tone professional but firm. Many apps will comply quickly once they know you are aware of your rights. Save their response (or lack thereof).
Step 3: Report to the FCCPC
If the app does not stop within 48 hours — or if the harassment is severe — escalate to the regulator.
Primary complaint channel:
Email [email protected] with the subject “COMPLAINT: Loan App Harassment – [App Name]”. Attach all evidence, including your correspondence with the app.
Alternative contact methods (FCCPC contact page):
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 0805 600 2020 or 0805 600 3030
- Toll-free: +2348000002121
- Physical address: 23 Jimmy Carter Street, Asokoro, Abuja
The FCCPC’s digital lending task force is actively working these complaints. Include:
- Your full name, BVN (optional but helpful), phone number.
- The exact name of the app and its registered company (check Google Play Store listing).
- A timeline of events.
- The names and phone numbers of contacts who were harassed (with their consent).
Note: The FCCPC handles violations of consumer rights and the DEON Regulations. For privacy-specific violations (e.g., the app leaked your contacts to third parties), you can also file a complaint with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).
Step 4: File a Complaint with the FCCPC Portal
In addition to email, you can use the FCCPC’s official complaint portal at fccpc.gov.ng. There you can track your case status. The regulator has been responsive since enforcement resumed in July 2026.
Step 5: Report to the Police Cybercrime Unit (If There Are Threats)
If the loan app’s agents threaten violence, defame you publicly, or engage in criminal intimidation, report to the Nigeria Police Force Cybercrime Center (NPF-SB CiCC). You can visit any Zone 3 Police Command or the Force CID Annex in Alagbon, Lagos. Provide your evidence.
Step 6: Consider Legal Action
You can sue the loan app for damages under the FCCPA and the Nigeria Data Protection Act. Consult a lawyer who specialises in digital rights or consumer protection. Potential claims include defamation, invasion of privacy, and emotional distress. Given the DEON Regulations now explicitly protect borrowers, courts are more likely to award substantial damages.
How to Choose a Safe Loan App (Decision Framework)
The best defence against harassment is choosing a lender that won’t harass you in the first place. Use this comparison table:
| Safe Indicator | Risky Indicator |
|---|---|
| On the FCCPC approved list (525 lenders as of Sept 2026) | Not listed or on the watchlist |
| Request access to contacts only after loan approval (or not at all) | Request contact access before you even see loan terms |
| Transparent interest rates, fees, and repayment schedule | Hidden charges, ambiguous APR |
| Positive reviews on Google Play Store (verified by review checkers) | Recent one-star reviews citing harassment |
| Backed by a CBN-licensed bank (e.g., FairMoney, Carbon, Kuda) | Unknown developer with no physical address |
| Clear privacy policy stating they do not share data with third parties | Vague or no privacy policy |
| Provides a loan agreement with your signature required | App only has “I agree” button with no document |
How to check if a lender is approved:
Visit the FCCPC website or follow their official social media for the updated list. As of September 2026, the regulator has published names of approved lenders. If you can’t find the list, email [email protected] to confirm a specific app.
Prefer bank-backed apps. They are under dual regulation (CBN and FCCPC) and less likely to risk their banking license for harassment. Examples include:
- FairMoney — licensed by CBN, FCCPC approved.
- Carbon — CBN-licensed digital bank.
- Kuda Bank — full microfinance bank license.
- PalmPay — CBN-licensed.
- Opay — CBN-licensed.
Beware of apps that require full access to your contacts and gallery before you can even see the interest rate. That is a red flag under the DEON Regulations, which now forbid pre-approval contact access.
Risks of Ignoring Harassment or Not Taking Action
Doing nothing has serious consequences:
- Continuous harassment: The app will keep calling your contacts, potentially escalating to threats or public defamation.
- Emotional toll on your contacts: Friends and family may feel harassed themselves and distance themselves from you.
- Missed opportunity for compensation: If you take legal action, you could claim damages. Ignoring it leaves the app free to target others.
- No regulatory record: Without your report, the FCCPC may not add the app to its enforcement list. Your complaint helps protect everyone.
If you have defaulted on a loan, you still have rights. Do not let fear stop you from reporting. The FCCPC has explicitly stated that harassment is illegal regardless of repayment status.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can a loan app legally contact my friends or family?
No. Unless you gave explicit, informed consent — and that consent must be given after you see the loan terms, not hidden in fine print. The DEON Regulations prohibit contacting third parties for debt collection. If they are calling your contact list, they are breaking the law (FCCPC official announcement).
What if the loan app is not registered with FCCPC?
Report it immediately. Unregistered lenders are operating illegally. The FCCPC can fine them up to ₦100 million and refer them for criminal prosecution. Email [email protected] with the app name and evidence.
How long does FCCPC take to act on a complaint?
It varies, but the task force has been active since July 2026. Providing complete evidence (screenshots, call logs) speeds up the process. Some complaints have been resolved within days. Follow up via phone if you get no response in a week.
Can I sue a loan app for harassment?
Yes. You have a cause of action under the FCCPA and the Nigeria Data Protection Act. You can claim damages for defamation, invasion of privacy, and emotional distress. Consult a lawyer to assess the strength of your case.
What should I do if the app threatens to publish my debt?
That is illegal — it amounts to public shaming and defamation. Document the threat immediately (screenshot, recording). Report to the FCCPC and the police cybercrime unit. The DEON Regulations specifically prohibit sharing borrower information with unauthorised third parties.
Are all loan apps in Nigeria regulated?
No. Only 525 out of over 1,000 apps are fully approved by the FCCPC as of September 2026 (Nairametrics, 9 Sept 2026). Many apps listed on Google Play are not registered. Always check before downloading.
Will reporting harassment affect my credit score?
No. Reporting abuse does not affect your credit report. However, non-repayment of a legitimate loan may be reported to credit bureaus (like CRC Credit Bureau, FirstCentral, or XDS). That is separate from harassment. You can still owe money and have it reported, but the lender cannot harass you to collect.
Borrow Responsibly and Know Your Rights
Loan apps have made emergency funds accessible to millions of Nigerians, but irresponsible lenders have turned that convenience into a weapon of harassment. The good news is that the DEON Regulations 2025 and the FCCPC’s renewed enforcement from July 2026 give you powerful tools to fight back.
Bottom line:
- Don’t suffer in silence. Harassment is illegal, and regulators are ready to act.
- Only borrow from FCCPC-approved lenders. Check the list or email the task force to verify.
- Document everything. Your evidence is your strongest weapon.
- Report every violation. Even if your loan is unpaid, you deserve to be treated with dignity.
If you found this guide helpful, share it with someone who may need it — a friend, a colleague, a family member. For more practical personal finance tips from a Nigerian perspective, explore our other resources on KudiCompass.
Need more help?
Send a direct message to the FCCPC at [email protected] or call their toll-free line +2348000002121. If you receive threats, contact your nearest police cybercrime unit.
Stay informed, stay protected.