If you lost money to an investment scheme, are being harassed by a lending app, were denied access to corporate records, or need to report a company regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the SEC complaint process can feel confusing at first. In the Philippines, the correct procedure depends on the kind of violation, the entity involved, and the remedy you want. As of 2026, the practical starting point for most SEC complaints is the SEC iMessage Portal, the Commission’s online ticketing system for complaints, inquiries, incidents, and requests. (Securities and Exchange Commission)

What complaints can be filed with the SEC Philippines?

The SEC is not a general complaints office for every business problem. It handles matters involving corporations, partnerships, associations, securities, investment-taking, financing and lending companies, capital market participants, and other entities under its regulatory authority.

Common complaints filed with the SEC include:

Type of complaint	Usual concern	Likely SEC unit or service
Investment scam or unauthorized investment solicitation	“Double your money,” crypto-investment groups, Ponzi-style recruitment, unregistered securities offering	Enforcement and Investor Protection Department — eComplaints on Investment Scams
Lending or financing company complaint	Online lending app harassment, undisclosed charges, abusive collection, operating without proper authority	Financing and Lending Companies Department — Complaints on Financing and Lending Companies
Corporate records complaint	Stockholder/member denied access to corporate books, minutes, GIS, stock and transfer book	Company Registration and Monitoring Department / Corporate Legal and Adjudication Division
Complaint against regulated securities market entities	Brokers, dealers, transfer agents, securities intermediaries, crowdfunding portals, exchanges, other regulated entities	Markets and Securities Regulation Department
Corporate registration or monitoring issue	False GIS, disputed company records, revocation concerns, missing or inaccurate company information	Company Registration and Monitoring Department

The SEC iMessage user guide lists specific services, including eComplaints on Investment Scams under the Enforcement and Investor Protection Department, Complaints on Financing and Lending Companies under the Financing and Lending Companies Department, and verified complaints involving corporate records and registration issues under the Company Registration and Monitoring Department. (Securities and Exchange Commission)

Important 2026 update: SEC complaints are filed through iMessage

The SEC has moved public complaints to its iMessage SEC-Wide Ticketing System. The portal allows a complainant to open a new ticket, select the appropriate SEC service, upload supporting documents, receive an electronic ticket, check ticket status, and post replies when the SEC asks for clarification or additional documents. (Securities and Exchange Commission)

The SEC also issued a public notice that complaints handled by the Enforcement and Investor Protection Department must be filed through the iMessage Portal starting 1 April 2026. (Facebook)

In practice, this means you should not rely on sending a random email to an SEC employee, a Facebook message, or an informal walk-in complaint unless the SEC itself instructs you to do so. Use the portal so your complaint gets a ticket number and can be tracked.

Legal basis for SEC complaints in the Philippines

The main laws behind SEC complaints are:

Securities Regulation Code — Republic Act No. 8799

The Securities Regulation Code, or RA 8799, is the principal Philippine law regulating securities. It aims to protect investors, require full and fair disclosure, promote capital market development, and minimize fraudulent or manipulative devices in the securities market. It defines securities broadly to include shares, participation or interests in a corporation or commercial enterprise, and profit-making ventures evidenced by a certificate, contract, or instrument, whether written or electronic. (Supreme Court E-Library)

This matters because many “investment opportunities” are not called shares or securities in advertisements. They may be labeled as “packages,” “slots,” “franchise participation,” “crypto staking,” “trading pool,” “co-ownership,” or “capital contribution.” If the public is asked to put in money with an expectation of profit mainly from the efforts of others, the SEC may look beyond the label.

Revised Corporation Code — Republic Act No. 11232

The Revised Corporation Code, or RA 11232, governs Philippine corporations. It gives the SEC regulatory and investigative powers over corporations and imposes duties on corporate officers, directors, trustees, stockholders, and members. Section 73 protects the right of directors, trustees, stockholders, and members to inspect and reproduce corporate records, subject to legitimate purpose and confidentiality rules. (Supreme Court E-Library)

The same law allows the SEC to investigate alleged violations of the Code or SEC rules, publish findings or advisories when relevant, and impose or pursue sanctions in proper cases. (Supreme Court E-Library)

Financial Products and Services Consumer Protection Act — Republic Act No. 11765

RA 11765 protects consumers of financial products and services, including securities, investments, credit, payments, remittances, and digital financial products. It recognizes the SEC as one of the financial regulators, along with the BSP, Insurance Commission, and CDA, for providers under their respective jurisdiction. It also expressly covers investment fraud, including Ponzi schemes and unauthorized public investment solicitation. (Supreme Court E-Library)

Lending and financing company laws

For lending and financing complaints, the key laws are:

RA 9474, Lending Company Regulation Act of 2007, which regulates lending companies and seeks to prevent practices prejudicial to public interest. (Supreme Court E-Library)
RA 8556, Financing Company Act of 1998, which regulates financing and leasing companies and aims to prevent acts or practices prejudicial to the public. (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas)
RA 11765, especially for financial consumer protection, fair treatment, disclosure, market conduct, and digital financial services. (Supreme Court E-Library)

Other laws that may be relevant

Some SEC complaints also involve remedies outside the SEC:

Revised Penal Code, Article 315 may apply when the facts show estafa or swindling, such as deceit or abuse of confidence causing financial damage. (Supreme Court E-Library)
Civil Code Articles 19, 20, 21, and 22 may support a separate civil claim for damages, bad faith, abuse of rights, or unjust enrichment. (Lawphil)
Data Privacy Act of 2012, RA 10173 may be relevant when an online lender misuses contacts, messages third parties, posts personal information, or threatens public shaming.

What the SEC can and cannot do for you

A common frustration is expecting the SEC complaint to work like a small claims case, criminal case, and refund request all in one. It does not.

The SEC can usually:

investigate regulated entities and suspected violations;
require explanations and documents from companies under its authority;
issue advisories, warnings, cease-and-desist orders, or administrative sanctions when warranted;
suspend, revoke, or affect licenses or certificates of authority in proper cases;
refer criminal aspects to law enforcement or prosecutors;
act on formal verified complaints within its jurisdiction.

The SEC usually does not directly:

collect your money for you like a sheriff;
award private damages in every consumer dispute;
jail scammers by itself;
decide ordinary breach-of-contract disputes unrelated to SEC-regulated activity;
decide many intra-corporate disputes that now belong in the Regional Trial Court sitting as a Special Commercial Court.

The Supreme Court has repeatedly recognized that intra-corporate disputes are generally within the jurisdiction of Regional Trial Courts designated as Special Commercial Courts, while the SEC retains regulatory, administrative, and enforcement authority in matters within its mandate. (Supreme Court E-Library)

Before filing: identify the exact complaint

Before opening an iMessage ticket, write down the problem in one sentence. This helps you choose the correct SEC service.

Examples:

“I invested ₱80,000 in a company promising 15% monthly returns, but it is not registered to solicit investments.”
“An online lending app contacted my relatives and threatened to post my photo even though I asked for a statement of account.”
“I am a stockholder and the corporate secretary ignored my written demand to inspect the stock and transfer book.”
“A broker or securities intermediary mishandled my account and refuses to answer.”
“A company filed a GIS that appears to list false officers or disputed shareholdings.”

Then identify the respondent as accurately as possible:

full corporate name;
trade name, app name, or platform name;
SEC registration number, if known;
Certificate of Authority number, if lending or financing;
business address;
website, app store link, Facebook page, Telegram group, or other online profile;
names of officers, recruiters, collection agents, or account managers, if known.

Do not rely only on the app name or Facebook page name. Many complaints are delayed because the respondent is identified only as “Cash Loan App,” “Trading Mentor,” or “ABC Investment,” when the SEC needs the legal entity or persons behind it.

Documents and evidence to prepare

The SEC is document-driven. A clear complaint with organized evidence is much stronger than a long emotional narrative with scattered screenshots.

Prepare PDF or image copies of:

Evidence	Why it matters
Government ID	Shows your identity as complainant
Proof of payment	GCash/Maya receipts, bank transfers, deposit slips, crypto transaction hashes
Contracts or loan documents	Shows the terms, fees, interest, maturity, or investment promise
Screenshots of offers	Shows public solicitation, promised returns, ads, chats, referral mechanics
Company profile or app page	Helps identify the respondent
SEC registration or search result	Shows whether the entity is registered, licensed, or unverified
Demand letter or prior complaint to company	Shows you tried to resolve the issue, especially useful in lending complaints
Collection harassment evidence	Call logs, SMS, chat messages, threats, screenshots sent to contacts
Corporate documents	GIS, articles, bylaws, stock certificates, board resolutions, written demand to inspect records
Timeline	Helps the SEC understand what happened and when

For screenshots, include the date, time, sender name or number, URL, profile link, and full conversation context where possible. Cropped screenshots may be questioned if they hide the sender or surrounding messages.

How to file a complaint through the SEC iMessage Portal

1. Create or access your eSECURE account

The iMessage portal uses SEC online account access. The user guide instructs users to click “Open A New Ticket,” agree to the privacy policy, and sign in with eSECURE. (Securities and Exchange Commission)

Use an email address you regularly check. SEC notices, compliance requests, and updates may be sent electronically or reflected in the ticket thread.

2. Open a new ticket

Go to the SEC iMessage Portal and choose Open A New Ticket. The portal is the SEC’s official web-based platform for public inquiries, complaints, incidents, and requests. (Securities and Exchange Commission)

3. Choose the correct service

In the “Service” field, type words related to your complaint. The portal will display matching services.

Common choices include:

eComplaints on Investment Scams for suspected investment fraud or unauthorized public solicitation;
Complaints on Financing and Lending Companies for lending companies, financing companies, and online lending platforms;
Filing of Verified Complaints — Violation of Right for Inspection and/or Reproduction of Corporate Books and Records for corporate records inspection issues;
Receiving of Complaints Filed Against Covered/Regulated Entities for certain market-regulated entities.

Selecting the correct service matters because the portal assigns the ticket to the responsible SEC department.

4. Fill out the complaint form clearly

Use short, factual paragraphs. Include:

your full name, contact details, and address;
respondent’s full name and identifying details;
amount involved, if any;
date of first contact;
date and method of payment;
specific promise, representation, or violation;
what happened after you paid, borrowed, invested, or made a demand;
names and contact details of people involved;
documents attached;
specific action you are asking the SEC to take.

Avoid insults, threats, or speculation. Instead of saying “They are all criminals,” write: “The respondent publicly offered a 10% weekly return through Facebook and Telegram, collected ₱50,000 from me through bank transfer on 12 March 2026, and stopped responding after the promised payout date.”

5. Upload supporting documents

Upload only useful, readable files. Rename files in an organized way, such as:

01_Complaint_Affidavit.pdf
02_Proof_of_Payment_BDO_2026-03-12.pdf
03_Screenshots_Investment_Offer.pdf
04_Chat_with_Recruiter.pdf
05_Company_Profile_and_App_Page.pdf

If the portal limits file size, combine documents into compressed PDFs or upload the most important evidence first, then add more through the ticket thread when requested.

6. Submit and save your ticket number

After submission, the system displays the created ticket and its details. The iMessage guide explains that created tickets can be viewed under Tickets or Check Ticket Status, and open tickets are those being processed by the responsible SEC department. (Securities and Exchange Commission)

Save:

ticket number;
date and time filed;
screenshot or PDF of the submitted complaint;
all uploaded documents;
any SEC message or request.

7. Monitor the ticket and respond quickly

The portal allows users to click a ticket, view the conversation thread, post a reply, and upload additional files. The guide states that the posted reply is added to the thread and the SEC handling agent is notified. (Securities and Exchange Commission)

Many complaints stall because the complainant does not answer follow-up questions. Check your portal and email regularly.

How to write a strong SEC complaint

A good SEC complaint is not necessarily long. It is specific, chronological, and evidence-based.

Use this structure:

Background

State who you are and why you are affected.

Example:

I am a borrower of XYZ Lending Corporation through its mobile application called QuickPeso. I filed this complaint because its collectors contacted my relatives, sent threatening messages, and demanded charges not disclosed in my loan documents.

Facts in chronological order

List dates and events.

Example:

On 5 February 2026, I downloaded the app and applied for a ₱10,000 loan.
On 6 February 2026, only ₱7,200 was released to my GCash account.
On 13 February 2026, collectors demanded ₱12,500.
On 14 February 2026, collectors messaged my mother and co-worker using insulting language.
Copies of the loan screen, GCash receipt, and messages are attached.

Legal or regulatory concern

You do not need to sound like a lawyer, but you should identify the problem.

Examples:

unauthorized solicitation of investments from the public;
misrepresentation of guaranteed returns;
lack of SEC registration or secondary license;
unfair, abusive, or humiliating collection practices;
failure to disclose finance charges;
denial of stockholder’s right to inspect records;
false or disputed corporate filing.

Relief requested

Be realistic. You may ask the SEC to:

investigate the respondent;
verify registration or license status;
require the company to answer;
impose appropriate administrative sanctions;
issue an advisory or cease-and-desist order if warranted;
refer criminal aspects to the proper authorities;
direct the respondent to address the complaint through the proper process.

For refunds, damages, or imprisonment, understand that you may also need a separate civil, small claims, criminal, or prosecutor-level remedy depending on the facts.

Fees, notarization, and timelines

Item	Practical guidance
iMessage ticket	The portal generates an electronic ticket for tracking. For many public complaints, the first step is online submission through iMessage.
Formal verified complaints	Some complaints require a verified complaint, meaning the allegations are sworn to and usually notarized.
Corporate records inspection complaint	SEC Memorandum Circular No. 25, Series of 2020 provides rules for complaints involving denial of inspection or reproduction of corporate records; the circular states a filing fee of ₱10,130 inclusive of Legal Research Fee and Documentary Stamp Tax for docketing. (UP College of Law)
Investment scam complaint	Initial reporting is usually evidence-focused. The SEC may ask for more documents, affidavits, or details if the complaint requires deeper investigation.
Lending or financing complaint	Prepare the loan disclosure statement, proof of release, payment history, collection messages, and proof that you first raised the issue with the company, if available.
Acknowledgment	The ticket is generated upon submission; substantive review depends on complexity and department workload.
Investigation timeline	Simple routing or clarification may move faster; complex investment fraud, corporate records, or enforcement matters may take weeks to months or longer, especially if respondents must be required to answer or if multiple victims are involved.

Special notes for OFWs and foreigners

You can file a complaint even if you are abroad, as long as the matter involves a Philippine SEC-regulated entity, Philippine corporation, Philippine securities solicitation, or conduct affecting you in the Philippines.

Practical tips:

Use an email address and Philippine or foreign mobile number you can access consistently.
If you appoint a representative in the Philippines, prepare a written authorization or Special Power of Attorney.
If a document is signed abroad and must be used formally in the Philippines, check whether notarization before a Philippine Embassy or Consulate, local notarization, or apostille is needed. The DFA’s apostille system is used for authentication of public documents, and the DFA online appointment system accepts authentication applicants by appointment. (DFA Appointment System)
For foreign-language documents, prepare an English translation when the meaning is important.
If your payment was made from an overseas bank, remittance center, crypto wallet, or international platform, include transaction IDs and proof connecting the payment to the respondent.

Foreigners should also be aware that Philippine constitutional and statutory restrictions may affect certain investments, land-related arrangements, and corporate ownership structures. If the complaint involves a foreign investor being offered Philippine land ownership through a corporation or nominee, that may raise issues beyond an ordinary SEC complaint.

Common mistakes that weaken SEC complaints

Filing against the app name only

Online lenders and investment schemes often use app names, Facebook pages, or Telegram group names different from the registered corporate name. Include all names you know.

Uploading unreadable screenshots

Screenshots should show the sender, date, time, message, URL, and context. A cropped image saying “Pay now or else” may be less useful if it does not show who sent it.

Asking the SEC to do what only a court can do

The SEC may investigate and sanction, but a refund, damages, injunction, or criminal conviction may require court or prosecutor action. In investment scams, file with the SEC to trigger regulatory action, but also preserve evidence for criminal and civil remedies.

Waiting too long

Investment scammers delete pages, rename groups, change wallets, and move funds quickly. Online lenders may change app names or numbers. File once you have the essential evidence.

Not making a prior written demand in corporate records cases

For denial of inspection of corporate books, your written demand is often central. It should state that you are a director, trustee, stockholder, or member; identify the specific records requested; give a legitimate purpose; and request inspection during reasonable business hours.

Confusing SEC registration with authority to solicit investments

A company may be registered as a corporation but still have no authority to offer securities or solicit investments from the public. SEC registration as a corporation is not the same as a permit to sell securities or investment contracts.

Treating all financial complaints as SEC complaints

Banks are usually under the BSP. Insurance companies are usually under the Insurance Commission. Cooperatives are usually under the CDA. If the respondent is a corporation but the specific product is regulated by another agency, you may need to file with that agency as well.

What happens after you file?

After filing, the SEC may:

assign your ticket to the proper department;
ask for additional documents or clarification;
verify whether the respondent is registered or licensed;
evaluate whether the facts show a possible violation;
require the respondent to comment or explain, if appropriate;
consolidate your complaint with similar complaints;
issue an advisory, order, sanction, or referral if warranted;
close the ticket if the matter is outside SEC jurisdiction, unsupported by evidence, already resolved, or better handled by another forum.

A closed ticket does not always mean the SEC found your complaint false. It may mean the ticket requires your action, the specific request has been addressed, or the matter was resolved or routed as far as the ticketing process allows. The iMessage guide explains that closed tickets may include resolved tickets or tickets requiring action such as compliance or payment. (Securities and Exchange Commission)

When to file with other offices too

Some situations need parallel action:

Situation	Other office to consider
Threats, extortion, harassment, identity misuse	PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group or NBI Cybercrime Division
Unauthorized use or disclosure of personal data	National Privacy Commission
Estafa or large-scale fraud	Prosecutor’s Office, NBI, or PNP
Bank, e-wallet, or payment account issue	BSP or the financial institution’s complaints channel
Insurance product	Insurance Commission
Cooperative	Cooperative Development Authority
Pure money claim within small claims threshold	Small Claims Court
Intra-corporate dispute such as election contest, derivative suit, or corporate deadlock	Regional Trial Court designated as Special Commercial Court

The best approach is not to file everywhere blindly. Match the remedy to the forum. The SEC is strongest for regulatory violations. Courts and prosecutors are usually needed for private recovery, damages, and criminal punishment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I file a complaint with the SEC Philippines online?

Use the SEC iMessage Portal, open a new ticket, sign in through eSECURE, select the correct service, fill out the form, upload evidence, and save your ticket number. The portal allows you to track status and reply to SEC requests through the ticket thread. (Securities and Exchange Commission)

Can I file an SEC complaint against an online lending app?

Yes, if the app is operated by or connected to a lending or financing company under SEC jurisdiction. Choose the service for Complaints on Financing and Lending Companies and attach the loan disclosure, proof of release, statement of account, payment records, screenshots of harassment, and the app or company details.

Can the SEC help me recover money from an investment scam?

The SEC can investigate, issue advisories or orders, stop unauthorized solicitation, impose sanctions, and refer matters for prosecution. Direct recovery of money may require a separate civil case, criminal complaint, settlement process, receivership-related process, or other legal remedy depending on the facts.

What if the company is SEC-registered?

SEC registration alone does not make an investment offer legal. A corporation may be validly registered for ordinary business but still lack authority to sell securities, investment contracts, or pooled investment products to the public.

Do I need a notarized affidavit?

For many initial iMessage reports, you can start by submitting the online complaint and evidence. Some matters, especially formal verified complaints, corporate records inspection complaints, or cases requiring sworn factual statements, may require a notarized verification, affidavit, or complaint.

How long does an SEC complaint take?

The ticket is created upon submission, but substantive handling depends on the type of complaint, completeness of evidence, whether the respondent must answer, and whether the issue requires investigation. Straightforward routing may be quicker. Enforcement, investment scam, and contested corporate matters can take weeks to months or longer.

Can I file anonymously?

You may report suspicious activity, but a complaint that seeks action on your personal loss is usually stronger when you identify yourself, provide contact details, and attach proof. Anonymous or incomplete reports are harder to verify, especially when payment records, loan records, or corporate rights are involved.

What should I do if collectors are threatening to shame me online?

Preserve screenshots, call logs, phone numbers, app details, and names. File an SEC complaint if the collector is connected to a lending or financing company. If there are threats, unauthorized disclosure of personal data, identity misuse, or cyber harassment, consider parallel complaints with the National Privacy Commission, NBI Cybercrime Division, or PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group.

Can a stockholder complain to the SEC if the corporation refuses inspection of books?

Yes. Under the Revised Corporation Code, stockholders, members, directors, and trustees have rights to inspect and reproduce corporate records for legitimate purposes, subject to confidentiality and legal limits. SEC Memorandum Circular No. 25, Series of 2020 provides a procedure for verified complaints involving denial of inspection or reproduction of corporate records. (Supreme Court E-Library)

Where is the SEC office?

The SEC iMessage homepage lists the SEC Headquarters at 7907 Makati Avenue, Salcedo Village, Bel-Air, Makati City, 1209, with contact number (02) 5322-7696. (Securities and Exchange Commission)

Key Takeaways

Use the SEC iMessage Portal as the main starting point for SEC complaints in the Philippines.
Choose the correct complaint type: investment scam, lending/financing, corporate records, market-regulated entity, or corporate monitoring issue.
SEC registration as a corporation is not the same as authority to solicit investments from the public.
Strong complaints are factual, chronological, and supported by readable evidence.
The SEC can investigate and impose regulatory sanctions, but refunds, damages, and criminal punishment may require courts, prosecutors, or other agencies.
For corporate records inspection complaints, a prior written demand and a verified complaint are often critical.
For OFWs and foreigners, online filing is possible, but formal documents signed abroad may need proper notarization, consular acknowledgment, or apostille depending on how they will be used.
Save your ticket number, monitor the portal, and respond promptly when the SEC asks for more information.