What to Do If Loan App Agents Are Calling Your Contacts in Nigeria

If a loan app is calling your friends, family, or workplace, you're not alone. This aggressive debt recovery tactic has become common in Nigeria, and while it's deeply invasive and embarrassing, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your contacts.

Why Loan Apps Call Your Contacts

Most loan apps require access to your phone contacts before giving out loans. Many borrowers click "allow" without realizing what this means. If you miss a payment, the app may call or message your saved contacts to shame you into repaying. Some even send defamatory messages, which is both unethical and potentially illegal.

Here's What You Can Do

1. Know Your Rights

Under the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR), your personal data, including your contact list must be used lawfully and with your consent. Using it to harass others crosses legal boundaries. You have a right to privacy.

2. Report the Loan App

File a complaint with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and attach screenshots, call logs, or messages as evidence.

3. Inform Your Contacts

Tell them what's happening. Most people will be understanding once they know it's the loan app, not you, harassing them. Clear communication can reduce shame and embarrassment.

4. Pay What You Can

If you owe the loan, do your best to pay, even if in small installments. Most apps stop contacting your contacts once they see you're actively trying to settle.

5. Avoid These Apps Going Forward

Stick to reputable lenders or platforms that follow ethical recovery practices. Before taking a loan, read the terms and never allow unnecessary access to your phone.

6. Rebuild Your Credit the Right Way

If you're borrowing from multiple sources, it might be time to pause, regroup, and repair. Use tools like Scorewise to check your credit score and get guidance on how to build it up safely. Scorewise helps you track your credit score and is available on the App Store or Google Play Store.