Exposed! How to Fight Back When Loan Apps Shame or Threaten You

WHAT IS DEFAMATION / HARASSMENT BY LOAN APPS

When a loan app:

Sends messages to your contacts describing you as a fraudster or criminal,
Shares your photo or private details without permission,
Uses threats, insults, or public shaming to pressure repayment,
these acts can amount to defamation, invasion of privacy, harassment, and violation of consumer protection laws in Nigeria.

The Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has powers under the Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Act, 2018 and its regulations (including Digital Lending Regulation 2025) to sanction abusive digital lending practices. (FCCPC)

HOW TO DRAFT A COMPLAINT LETTER TO FCCPC

Below is a sample structure. You can copy, fill in your details, and submit via their portal, email, or official address.

[Your Name]
[Address]
[City, State, ZIP]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]
[Date]

To:
The Executive Vice Chairman / Chief Executive Officer
Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC)
[Address of FCCPC]
Email: [email protected] (or the complaint portal)
Also CC: [email protected]

Subject: Complaint Against [Loan App Name] for Defamation, Harassment, and Unethical Recovery Practices

Dear Sir / Madam,

I am writing to lodge a formal complaint against [Name of Loan App / Digital Lender] for acts of defamation, harassment, and invasion of privacy in its loan recovery tactics.

1. Background / Facts

I took a loan from [App Name] on [Date] for [Amount] under agreement to repay by [Due Date].
After defaulting (or late payment), the lender began sending messages to my contacts and/or posting defamatory statements such as:
- “You are a fraudster”
- “Your family is involved in crime”
- “You will regret taking this loan”
- or sharing my photo and phone number publicly
These messages were also sent to my personal contacts, social media, WhatsApp, etc.
I have attached evidence (screenshots of messages, contact logs, app name, dates) to this complaint.

2. Causes of Complaint / Violations

I believe the app has violated the following:

Violation	Legal Basis / Regulation
Defamation & character assassination	Wrongful statements harming reputation; FCCPC prohibits abusive recovery practices under Digital Lending Regulation 2025. (FCCPC)
Harassment & threats	Use of threats, insults, repeated messaging amounts to unlawful harassment
Invasion of privacy / unauthorized disclosure	Accessing and sharing private data (photos, contacts) without consent
Unethical recovery methods	Public shaming is prohibited under consumer protection laws

3. Relief / What I Want FCCPC to Do

I hereby request FCCPC to:

Investigate [Loan App Name] for these abusive practices
Order the app to cease all defamatory and harassing acts immediately
Issue a public apology or retraction to my network if possible
Impose penalties or sanctions allowable under law
Direct the app to compensate me for damages to reputation / emotional harm
Ensure my contact information and personal data are deleted from their systems

4. Evidence / Attachments

Please find attached:

Screenshots of defamatory / harassing messages
Dates, times, phone numbers used
A copy of the loan agreement (if available)
Contacts / persons who received the messages
Any app identification (name, developer, phone number, email)

5. Declaration

I declare that the information presented is true to the best of my knowledge. I consent that FCCPC may share this complaint with relevant agencies (e.g. law enforcement, NDPC) for investigation.

Thank you for your urgent attention to this matter.
Yours faithfully,
[Your Signature (if sending physical)]
[Your Name]