If a loan app is offering instant cash but you are unsure whether it is real, verify it before entering your ID, contacts, bank account, or e-wallet details. In the Philippines, a legitimate online lending app is not proven by a nice logo, a social media page, or even a basic SEC incorporation record alone. The safer check is whether the company is properly registered, has the correct authority to lend or finance, and whether the actual app or website matches the online lending platform reported to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
This guide explains how to check if an online lending app or company is legitimate in the Philippines, what laws apply, what red flags to watch for, and what to do if an app has already harassed you, contacted your relatives, or misused your personal data.
What “legitimate online lending app” means in the Philippines
A lending app can look professional and still be unauthorized. In Philippine practice, you should check three separate things:
- SEC registration as a corporation
- A secondary license or Certificate of Authority to operate as a lending or financing company
- Whether the specific online lending platform, app, or website is recorded or reported with the SEC
These are not the same.
A company may be SEC-registered as a corporation but still not be allowed to lend money to the public. Under Republic Act No. 9474, or the Lending Company Regulation Act of 2007, a lending company must be established as a corporation and cannot conduct lending business unless it has authority from the SEC. (Supreme Court E-Library)
The implementing rules define a Certificate of Authority as the certificate issued by the SEC allowing a lending company to engage in the lending business regulated by RA 9474. (Lawphil)
For online lending, there is another practical layer: the app, website, or fintech system used to offer loans should match the online lending platform reported to the SEC. The SEC maintains a page for lending and financing companies that includes a List of Recorded Online Lending Platforms. (SEC Philippines)
Lending company vs. financing company
Many borrowers use the phrase “online lending app” for all loan apps, but Philippine law recognizes different kinds of entities.
| Type of entity | What it generally does | Main regulator issue to check |
|---|---|---|
| Lending company | Grants loans from its own capital or from funds sourced from a limited number of persons, subject to RA 9474 | SEC registration plus Certificate of Authority as a lending company |
| Financing company | Extends credit facilities, factoring, leasing, receivables financing, or similar financing services | SEC registration plus authority as a financing company |
| Bank, credit card company, pawnshop, cooperative, or other regulated lender | May be regulated by a different law or regulator depending on the product | Check the correct regulator, not just the app name |
The important point is simple: do not stop at “SEC registered.” For lending and financing businesses, check whether the company has the proper secondary authority for that business.
Legal basis: your rights when dealing with online lenders
RA 9474: lending companies need SEC authority
RA 9474 requires lending companies to be corporations and prohibits them from doing lending business without SEC authority. The SEC also has authority to supervise lending companies, require reports, conduct visitorial powers, impose sanctions, and regulate lending activities. (Supreme Court E-Library)
Operating or representing oneself as a lending company without valid authority can lead to penalties, including fines and imprisonment under RA 9474. (Supreme Court E-Library)
RA 9474 also states that charges, discounts, fees, fines, penalties, and interest rates imposed by lending companies must comply with the Truth in Lending Act and the Consumer Act of the Philippines. (Supreme Court E-Library)
RA 3765: the Truth in Lending Act requires clear cost disclosure
Republic Act No. 3765, or the Truth in Lending Act, protects borrowers by requiring full disclosure of the true cost of credit. (Lawphil)
Before a credit transaction is completed, the creditor must provide a clear written statement showing key details such as the amount financed, finance charges, and the percentage rate of the finance charge. (Lawphil)
For online loans, this means you should be able to see and save the essential loan terms before accepting:
- Principal loan amount
- Amount actually disbursed
- Interest
- Service fees
- Processing fees
- Platform fees
- Penalties
- Due date
- Total amount payable
- Effective cost of borrowing
A loan app that hides charges until after approval, deducts large unexplained fees, or refuses to provide a written disclosure is a major red flag.
Civil Code: interest must be in writing
Article 1956 of the Civil Code provides that no interest is due unless it has been expressly stipulated in writing. (Lawphil)
This matters because many online loan disputes involve vague or hidden charges. A lender should not rely on unclear screenshots, verbal promises, or after-the-fact collection messages to justify interest that was never clearly agreed to in writing.
The Civil Code also protects people from abusive conduct. Articles 19, 20, and 21 recognize that a person who acts contrary to law, willfully or negligently causes damage, or acts in a manner contrary to morals, good customs, or public policy may be liable for damages. (Lawphil) Article 26 also recognizes remedies for acts that humiliate, vex, or intrude into a person’s privacy. (Lawphil)
RA 11765: financial consumers have a right to fair treatment and clear disclosure
Republic Act No. 11765, or the Financial Products and Services Consumer Protection Act, strengthens protection for financial consumers. Its rules require financial service providers to assess suitability and affordability, use fair terms, and give clear, concise, accurate, and complete disclosure before, during, and after the financial agreement. (Supreme Court E-Library)
The SEC’s rules under RA 11765 also require disclosure of business and contact information, consumer assistance channels, regulatory information, and the full price or cost of a financial product, including interest, fees, charges, and penalties. (Supreme Court E-Library)
This is why a legitimate online lender should not be hard to identify. You should be able to find the company name, office address, contact details, complaint channel, regulator information, and loan costs.
Data Privacy Act: loan apps cannot freely harvest your contacts
Republic Act No. 10173, or the Data Privacy Act of 2012, protects personal information in both government and private-sector processing. (National Privacy Commission)
For online lending apps, the most common privacy problem is excessive access to contacts, photos, messages, or other data that has nothing to do with evaluating or collecting a loan.
A 2026 public advisory from the DICT, National Privacy Commission, and SEC specifically addressed online lending platforms. It warns against harassment, intimidation, public shaming, and unlawful use of personal data, and applies to lending companies, financing companies, and others offering or facilitating loans through online lending platforms whether recorded or unrecorded.
The advisory states that unnecessary app permissions are prohibited, unauthorized or excessive processing of contact lists is prohibited, and persons in the borrower’s contact list should not be contacted for collection unless they are named guarantors.
Step-by-step guide: how to verify if an online lending app is legitimate
1. Get the exact legal name of the company
Start with the exact legal name, not only the app brand.
Look for it in:
- The app’s “About” page
- Privacy policy
- Terms and conditions
- Loan agreement
- Disclosure statement
- App store developer name
- Website footer
- SMS or email notices
- Collection messages
- Payment instructions
Write down the following if available:
| Information to find | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| App name | The brand may differ from the legal operator |
| Corporate name | This is what you verify with the SEC |
| SEC registration number | Helps avoid confusing similar company names |
| Certificate of Authority number | Shows authority to lend or finance |
| Registered office address | Helps detect fake or cloned lenders |
| Website or app URL | Must match the recorded platform |
| Customer service email and phone | Needed for disputes and complaints |
Be careful with apps that only show a brand name such as “Fast Cash,” “Peso Loan,” or “Quick Credit” without identifying the legal company behind the service.
2. Check the company through SEC verification channels
Use official SEC verification tools and pages. The public can verify companies through the SEC’s official verification platform, commonly referred to as Check with SEC. (Philippine Information Agency)
When checking, do not simply ask: “Is this company registered?”
Ask these more specific questions:
- Is the corporate name an exact match?
- Is the company active or in good standing?
- Is it authorized as a lending company or financing company?
- Does it have a Certificate of Authority or secondary license?
- Is the app or online lending platform recorded with the SEC?
- Has the SEC issued any suspension, revocation, advisory, or warning involving the company or app?
If you are dealing with a large amount or a business transaction, you may also request SEC documents through SEC Express, which allows users to search by company name or SEC registration number and order available SEC documents online. (SEC Express)
3. Check the SEC list of recorded online lending platforms
A company name and an app name may not be the same. This is why you should check whether the actual online lending platform is recorded or reported with the SEC.
When checking the SEC list, compare:
| What to compare | What you should look for |
|---|---|
| App name | Exact or clearly matching brand name |
| Website/domain | Same domain used in the app or messages |
| Corporate operator | Same company shown in the privacy policy and loan contract |
| SEC registration details | Consistent with the company’s SEC records |
| App store developer | Should not be an unrelated or suspicious entity |
A common scam pattern is to copy the name of a legitimate company while using a different app, domain, payment channel, or customer service number. If the legal operator and the app do not match, treat that as a serious warning sign.
4. Confirm the Certificate of Authority or secondary license
For lending companies, the Certificate of Authority is crucial. The SEC’s rules define it as the certificate issued in favor of a lending company allowing it to engage in the lending business. (Lawphil)
For financing companies, check the corresponding authority to operate as a financing company.
A company that says “We are SEC registered” but cannot show authority to lend is not giving you enough information. SEC incorporation means the company exists as a corporation. It does not automatically mean it can legally operate a lending business.
5. Review the loan disclosure before accepting
Before you tap “Accept,” “Confirm,” or “Disburse,” review the written loan terms.
A proper disclosure should let you understand:
- How much you are borrowing
- How much will actually be released to you
- What fees will be deducted upfront
- How much you must repay
- When payment is due
- What penalties apply for late payment
- Whether interest is daily, weekly, monthly, or annualized
- Whether the lender may charge collection fees
- How to contact customer support
- How to file a complaint
Under the Truth in Lending Act, the borrower must receive a clear written statement of the finance charges and other key loan information before the transaction is completed. (Lawphil)
Do not rely on marketing claims such as “0% interest” if the app charges large “service fees,” “platform fees,” “express processing fees,” or “membership fees.” The real question is the total cost of borrowing.
6. Check app permissions before installing or borrowing
Before installing or continuing with the app, check what permissions it asks for.
Legitimate identity verification may require reasonable access to certain information, such as camera access for ID capture or selfie verification. But unrestricted access to your entire contact list, gallery, SMS, microphone, or unrelated files should make you pause.
The 2026 DICT-NPC-SEC advisory states that users should download online lending platforms only from official or verified sources, review privacy notices and consent forms, and check app permissions. It also says contact list access should be limited to selecting character references or guarantors, or to proportional metadata processing where justified; unbridled contact list processing is prohibited.
A legitimate lender should not need to copy your entire phonebook so it can shame you later.
7. Test the customer service and complaint channel
Before borrowing, check whether the lender has a real support channel.
Look for:
- Company email using a proper domain
- Working phone number
- Registered office address
- Consumer assistance or complaints process
- Privacy contact or data protection officer
- Clear dispute process for wrong charges or failed payments
The SEC’s rules under RA 11765 require financial service providers to disclose business contact information and consumer assistance information in websites, promotional materials, and social media pages. (Supreme Court E-Library)
If there is no way to reach the company except a Telegram account, Facebook page, anonymous collector, or prepaid mobile number, that is a warning sign.
8. Search official advisories, not just reviews
App store ratings, Facebook comments, TikTok videos, and Reddit posts can help you spot patterns, but they are not enough. Some reviews are fake. Some complaints are incomplete. Some legitimate companies also receive complaints.
Prioritize:
- SEC advisories
- SEC list of recorded online lending platforms
- SEC revoked or suspended entities
- NPC privacy advisories
- DICT, NBI, or PNP cybercrime warnings
- Court or official government references when available
Use public comments as supporting information, not as your only basis.
Quick legitimacy checklist
| Question | Good sign | Red flag |
|---|---|---|
| Is the corporate name clear? | Exact company name appears in the app, privacy policy, and loan agreement | Only a brand name appears |
| Is the company SEC-registered? | It appears in official SEC records | No record, confusingly similar name, or foreign-only entity |
| Does it have authority to lend or finance? | Has Certificate of Authority or proper secondary license | Says “SEC registered” but no lending or financing authority |
| Is the app recorded or reported as an online lending platform? | App or website appears in SEC online lending platform list | Company exists but app name is missing or mismatched |
| Are loan costs disclosed? | Fees, interest, penalties, and due dates are shown before acceptance | Charges appear only after approval or disbursement |
| Are app permissions limited? | Only reasonable permissions are requested | Requires full contacts, gallery, SMS, or unrelated access |
| Are collectors professional? | Collectors identify themselves and use lawful collection methods | Threats, insults, public shaming, contact-list blasting |
| Are payment channels official? | Payment account matches company name or official channel | Personal GCash, Maya, bank account, or changing collector accounts |
Red flags of fake or illegal online lending apps
Be extra careful if you see any of these warning signs:
- The app claims to be “SEC registered” but cannot show a Certificate of Authority or secondary license.
- The app name does not match the company name in the privacy policy or loan agreement.
- The payment account is under an individual person, not the company or its official payment partner.
- The app asks for an advance fee before releasing the loan.
- The app deducts large hidden fees from the loan proceeds.
- The app gives no written disclosure of interest, fees, and penalties.
- The app requires access to your entire contact list, photo gallery, SMS, or microphone.
- Collectors threaten to post your photo, message your contacts, or accuse you of a crime.
- Collectors claim they can immediately have you arrested for unpaid debt.
- The app uses a name similar to a known lender but has a different website, developer, or payment account.
- Customer service is only through anonymous chat accounts or rotating mobile numbers.
- The app pressures you to borrow again to pay the first loan.
Debt collection: what online lenders are not allowed to do
Loan collection is allowed, but abuse is not.
SEC Memorandum Circular No. 18, series of 2019, addresses unfair debt collection practices by financing and lending companies. The circular covers acts such as threats, violence, obscene or insulting language, publication or disclosure of borrower information, false representations, deceptive means, and improper contact with persons other than authorized parties. (SEC Appointment System)
The SEC’s unfair collection rules also address contacting borrowers at unreasonable hours, contacting persons in the borrower’s contact list other than guarantors or co-makers, and the responsibility of lending or financing companies even when collection is outsourced to third-party collectors.
The 2026 DICT-NPC-SEC advisory reinforces that only named guarantors may be contacted for collection and that chosen guarantors must separately consent.
In plain language, a collector should not:
- Shame you online
- Send your loan details to your relatives, employer, co-workers, or friends
- Use your contact list to pressure you
- Threaten violence
- Use insults or obscene language
- Pretend to be a court, police officer, prosecutor, or government agency
- Misrepresent the legal consequences of nonpayment
- Call or message at prohibited or unreasonable hours
- Refuse to identify the lender, collector, and purpose of the communication
What to do if you already borrowed from a suspicious online lending app
If you already borrowed and now suspect the app is illegal or abusive, focus on preserving evidence and using official complaint channels.
1. Save evidence immediately
Take screenshots or save copies of:
- App name and app store page
- App permissions requested
- Privacy policy
- Terms and conditions
- Loan agreement
- Disclosure statement
- Amount borrowed
- Amount actually received
- Fees deducted
- Repayment schedule
- Payment instructions
- Payment receipts
- Collection messages
- Call logs
- Threats or insults
- Messages sent to your contacts
- Social media posts or group chats involving your name or photo
Do not delete the app immediately if it contains the only copy of your loan documents. First, capture the relevant pages and export or save what you can.
2. Verify the company and app after the fact
Repeat the verification steps:
- Identify the company name.
- Check SEC registration.
- Check the Certificate of Authority or financing company authority.
- Check whether the online lending platform is recorded.
- Search official SEC, NPC, DICT, NBI, or PNP advisories.
- Compare payment accounts and contact details.
This helps you separate three different situations:
| Situation | What it may mean |
|---|---|
| Company and app are properly recorded, but collectors are abusive | The company may be legitimate but violating collection or privacy rules |
| Company exists, but app is not connected to it | Possible clone, fraud, or unauthorized platform |
| No company, no authority, no traceable operator | Possible illegal lending, scam, or cybercrime issue |
3. Send a written dispute or complaint to the lender
If the company has a customer service or consumer assistance channel, send a concise written complaint.
Include:
- Your full name
- Loan account number, if any
- App name
- Date of loan
- Amount received
- Amount being collected
- Specific abusive acts
- Names or numbers of collectors
- Screenshots or evidence
- Your requested action, such as correction of balance, stopping contact-list harassment, or confirmation of payment channel
Keep the tone factual. Avoid threats or insults. The goal is to create a clean record.
4. Report illegal lending or abusive collection to the SEC
The 2026 DICT-NPC-SEC advisory identifies the SEC’s Financing and Lending Companies Division as a reporting channel for online lending platform abuse and gives SEC iMessage and the SEC hotline 1-4732, or 1-4SEC, as official channels.
Use the SEC especially for issues involving:
- No Certificate of Authority
- Unrecorded online lending platform
- Abusive collection
- False or misleading loan terms
- Hidden charges
- Unauthorized lending operations
- Suspended or revoked companies still operating
5. Report privacy violations to the National Privacy Commission
Report to the National Privacy Commission if the app:
- Accessed your full contact list without proper basis
- Messaged your relatives, employer, friends, or co-workers
- Published your photo, ID, address, or loan information
- Used your personal data for harassment
- Refused to delete or correct unlawfully processed personal data
The NPC provides complaint contact channels, including its complaints email and phone lines. (National Privacy Commission)
6. Report threats, hacking, identity misuse, or scams to cybercrime authorities
If the issue involves threats, hacking, fake identities, extortion, or online fraud, consider reporting to cybercrime authorities. The 2026 advisory identifies the DICT Cyber Hotline, NBI Cybercrime Division, and PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group as reporting channels for online lending-related abuse.
This is especially relevant if:
- Someone threatens to post edited photos of you
- Your identity documents are being misused
- Collectors pretend to be police, court staff, or government officers
- Your account was hacked
- You paid an advance fee and no loan was released
- The app uses a fake company identity
Documents and information to prepare when filing a complaint
| Document or information | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Valid ID | Confirms your identity as complainant |
| App name and screenshots | Shows the exact platform involved |
| App store link or website | Helps authorities identify the operator |
| Corporate name shown in documents | Needed for SEC verification |
| SEC registration number or Certificate of Authority, if shown | Helps confirm whether the company is authorized |
| Loan agreement or disclosure statement | Shows the promised terms |
| Proof of disbursement | Shows how much you actually received |
| Proof of payment | Shows what you already paid |
| Collection messages and call logs | Shows harassment or unfair collection |
| Screenshots from contacts who were messaged | Proves third-party contact or public shaming |
| Timeline of events | Makes the complaint easier to evaluate |
| Names, numbers, emails, or social media accounts of collectors | Helps identify responsible persons |
For a strong complaint, arrange your evidence chronologically. A simple timeline is often more useful than a long emotional narrative.
Example:
| Date | What happened | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| 5 March 2026 | Downloaded app and applied for ₱5,000 loan | App screenshot |
| 5 March 2026 | Received only ₱3,700 after deductions | Bank/e-wallet receipt |
| 12 March 2026 | Collector demanded ₱6,500 | SMS screenshot |
| 13 March 2026 | Collector messaged employer and relatives | Screenshots from contacts |
| 14 March 2026 | Filed complaint with lender | Email screenshot |
Practical notes for OFWs and foreigners
OFWs and foreigners often face additional problems because they may be outside the Philippines, using foreign IDs, or relying on Philippine relatives to coordinate payments.
If you are an OFW
You can still do most verification online:
- Check SEC records and recorded online lending platform lists.
- Save app screenshots before uninstalling.
- Use email-based complaint channels where available.
- Ask trusted relatives to avoid paying collectors through personal accounts unless the channel is verified.
- Keep screenshots showing Philippine time and your local time if collection happened at odd hours.
If you need to authorize someone in the Philippines to act for you, agencies, courts, or banks may require a Special Power of Attorney. If signed abroad, documents for use in the Philippines may need consular notarization or an Apostille, depending on the country where the document is executed. The DFA explains that Philippine embassies and consulates generally no longer authenticate documents originating from Apostille countries because those documents need an Apostille instead. (Apostille Philippines)
If you are a foreigner in the Philippines
A lender may ask for identity documents for know-your-customer or credit evaluation purposes, but that does not mean it can demand unrelated personal data.
Foreigners should check:
- Whether the company is Philippine-registered
- Whether it has authority from the SEC
- Whether the app is recorded as an online lending platform
- Whether the loan agreement states Philippine governing law and dispute channels
- Whether your passport, ACR I-Card, address, employer, or emergency contacts will be processed lawfully
For lending companies, RA 9474 also has ownership rules: voting stock must be at least majority Filipino-owned, subject to rules on reciprocal rights for foreign stockholders. (Supreme Court E-Library) This is mainly a regulatory issue for the company, but it shows why borrowers should be cautious with apps operated by unclear foreign entities with no Philippine authority.
Common mistakes when checking online lending apps
Mistake 1: Believing “SEC registered” automatically means legal lending
SEC registration only means the entity is registered as a corporation. Lending and financing require additional authority.
Mistake 2: Checking only the app name
The app name may be different from the legal operator. Always verify the corporate name behind the app.
Mistake 3: Ignoring mismatched payment channels
If the loan agreement shows one company but the collector asks payment to a personal e-wallet, confirm before paying. Keep proof of every payment.
Mistake 4: Accepting a loan without screenshots
Some apps make it difficult to retrieve the loan agreement after disbursement. Screenshot the disclosure page before accepting.
Mistake 5: Giving full contact-list access
A borrower’s relatives, friends, co-workers, and employer are not automatically part of the loan. Contact-list harassment is one of the most serious warning signs in online lending complaints.
Mistake 6: Panicking over fake legal threats
A real court case comes through official court processes, not random threats from collectors. Be careful with messages claiming immediate arrest, barangay blotter, NBI action, or public posting unless you pay within minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an online lending app legitimate just because it is on Google Play or the App Store?
No. App store availability is not the same as Philippine regulatory authority. You still need to check the company’s SEC registration, Certificate of Authority or secondary license, and whether the specific online lending platform is recorded or reported with the SEC.
Is SEC registration enough for a lending app?
No. A company may be SEC-registered as a corporation but still lack authority to operate as a lending or financing company. Under RA 9474, a lending company cannot conduct lending business without SEC authority. (Supreme Court E-Library)
What is a Certificate of Authority for a lending company?
A Certificate of Authority is the certificate issued by the SEC allowing a lending company to engage in lending business regulated by RA 9474 and its rules. (Lawphil) Without it, SEC corporate registration alone is not enough.
What does “recorded online lending platform” mean?
It means the app, website, or fintech platform used for lending has been reported or recorded with the SEC in connection with a lending or financing company. You should still check whether the app name, website, developer, and corporate operator match the records.
Can a lending app access my contacts?
Only in a limited and lawful way. The 2026 DICT-NPC-SEC advisory says contact list access should be limited to selecting character references or guarantors, or proportionate metadata processing where justified. Unrestricted contact-list harvesting is prohibited.
Can an online lender message my family, friends, or employer?
A lender should not contact people in your contact list for collection unless they are named guarantors or otherwise legally involved in the loan. The 2026 DICT-NPC-SEC advisory states that only named guarantors may be contacted for collection, and guarantors must separately consent.
Are high interest rates automatically illegal in the Philippines?
Not automatically. But interest and charges must be clearly agreed to in writing, properly disclosed, and consistent with consumer protection rules. Under the Civil Code, interest is not due unless expressly stipulated in writing. (Lawphil) The Truth in Lending Act also requires disclosure of finance charges and related credit information. (Lawphil)
Where can I report an illegal or abusive online lending app?
For illegal lending, unrecorded platforms, or unfair collection, report to the SEC. For misuse of personal data, contact-list harassment, or privacy violations, report to the National Privacy Commission. For threats, hacking, extortion, fake identities, or cyber fraud, report to cybercrime authorities such as the NBI Cybercrime Division or PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group. The 2026 DICT-NPC-SEC advisory lists these reporting channels for abusive online lending behavior.
Can I ignore the loan if the app is illegal?
Be careful. An unauthorized or abusive app may face regulatory consequences, but you should still preserve evidence and verify the real creditor before deciding what to do. Do not send additional money to personal or suspicious accounts until you verify that the channel belongs to the lender. Keep proof of all payments and dispute unlawful charges in writing.
Can OFWs file complaints against online lending apps from abroad?
Yes. Many initial complaints can be prepared online using screenshots, emails, and transaction records. If a Philippine agency, court, bank, or representative later requires a notarized affidavit or Special Power of Attorney executed abroad, the document may need consular notarization or an Apostille depending on the country where it was signed. (Apostille Philippines)
Key Takeaways
- A legitimate online lending app in the Philippines should have more than a nice interface or app store listing.
- SEC registration alone is not enough; check for a Certificate of Authority or proper secondary license.
- Verify whether the specific app, website, or online lending platform is recorded or reported with the SEC.
- Loan costs must be clearly disclosed before you accept the loan.
- Interest should be expressly agreed to in writing.
- Unrestricted access to your contacts, gallery, SMS, or unrelated phone data is a serious privacy red flag.
- Collectors cannot lawfully use threats, insults, public shaming, or contact-list harassment.
- If you already borrowed from a suspicious app, save evidence first, verify the company, dispute in writing, and report to the proper agency.
- For privacy abuse, involve the National Privacy Commission; for illegal lending and unfair collection, involve the SEC; for threats, hacking, identity misuse, or scams, involve cybercrime authorities.