Finding out that your name, phone number, ID, selfie, or contact list was used by an online lending app can be frightening. You may be receiving threats for a loan you never made, seeing your face posted in group chats, or getting calls from collectors who insist that you are a borrower, guarantor, or “reference.” In the Philippines, this is not just a customer service issue. It can involve data privacy violations, cybercrime, unfair debt collection, identity theft, harassment, and possible credit record damage. This guide explains what to do immediately, what laws protect you, where to file complaints, what documents to prepare, and how to avoid common mistakes.

Quick Answer: What Should You Do First?

If your identity is being used by an online lending app, take these steps as soon as possible:

Do not pay just to stop the harassment unless you have verified the debt and understand the consequences.
Preserve evidence immediately before messages, accounts, posts, or app listings disappear.
Send a written dispute to the lending app, collector, or company, saying you did not borrow, did not authorize the use of your identity, and demand proof.
Report data privacy violations to the National Privacy Commission (NPC).
Report unfair debt collection or illegal lending activity to the SEC, especially if the lender is a lending or financing company.
Report identity theft, threats, fake accounts, or cyber harassment to the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group, NBI Cybercrime Division, CICC, or DOJ Office of Cybercrime.
Check your credit report if you suspect the fake loan was reported to the Credit Information Corporation (CIC).
Warn your contacts not to engage with collectors and to send you screenshots of any harassment.

The Philippine government has specifically recognized abuses by online lending platforms, including harassment, intimidation, public shaming, and unlawful use of personal data. A 2026 joint advisory by the DICT, NPC, and SEC states that online lending platforms must not require unnecessary app permissions and must not process contact lists or other personal data in an excessive, unauthorized, or disproportionate way.

What It Means When an Online Lending App Uses Your Identity

When people say “my identity was used by an online lending app,” it can mean several different things:

Someone applied for a loan using your name, phone number, ID, selfie, email address, or bank/e-wallet details.
You were listed as a character reference without your knowledge.
You were treated as a guarantor even though you never agreed to pay the borrower’s debt.
The app accessed your phone contacts and started messaging your family, co-workers, or friends.
Collectors posted your photo, ID, or false accusations online.
Your personal data was shared with third-party collectors.
A fake or disputed loan appeared in your credit record.

These situations should be separated because the correct response depends on your role.

Situation	What it usually means	What to do
Your name or ID was used to obtain a loan	Possible identity theft or fraud	File cybercrime report, dispute the loan, request documents
You were listed as a character reference	You are not automatically liable for the debt	Demand removal and report improper use of personal data
You were called a guarantor	A guarantor must expressly agree to be liable	Ask for proof of your written or electronic consent
Your contacts were messaged	Possible excessive or unauthorized data processing	File NPC complaint and SEC report
Your photo was posted to shame you	Possible data privacy violation, cyber harassment, libel, or unjust vexation	Preserve screenshots and report to cybercrime authorities

A character reference is usually someone contacted to verify identity or background. A guarantor is different. A guarantor expressly binds himself or herself to pay if the borrower defaults. The NPC has emphasized that a character reference is not automatically a guarantor, and online lenders must use separate interfaces and obtain proper consent for guarantors. (National Privacy Commission)

Your Legal Rights Under Philippine Law

Several Philippine laws may apply when an online lending app uses your identity.

Data Privacy Act of 2012

The main law is the Data Privacy Act of 2012, Republic Act No. 10173. It protects personal information such as your name, address, phone number, photo, ID, contact list, employment details, and financial information.

Under the Data Privacy Act, personal data must generally be processed according to the principles of:

Transparency — you should know who is collecting your data, why, and how it will be used.
Legitimate purpose — the data must be used for a lawful and clearly declared purpose.
Proportionality — the data collected must be adequate, relevant, suitable, necessary, and not excessive.

For online lending apps, this matters because some apps historically requested broad access to a borrower’s contacts, photos, camera, storage, location, or social media data. The NPC has issued specific rules for online lending, including prohibitions against unnecessary app permissions and excessive processing of contact lists.

Under NPC Circular No. 2022-02, contact list access must not become a tool for harassment or collection from people who are not guarantors. A borrower’s photo also cannot be used to harass, embarrass, or shame the borrower into paying.

Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012

The Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, Republic Act No. 10175 may apply if your identity was used through a computer system, phone app, website, e-wallet, fake account, or online form.

One important offense is computer-related identity theft, which involves the intentional acquisition, use, misuse, transfer, possession, alteration, or deletion of identifying information belonging to another person without right.

Depending on the facts, other cybercrime-related issues may also arise, such as:

computer-related fraud;
computer-related forgery;
cyberlibel, if false and defamatory accusations were posted online;
illegal access or misuse of account credentials;
online threats or harassment.

In Disini v. Secretary of Justice, the Supreme Court upheld the validity of several cybercrime offenses under RA 10175, including computer-related forgery, fraud, and identity theft. The case is still commonly cited in discussions on the constitutionality and scope of the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

SEC Rules on Online Lending and Debt Collection

If the app is operated by a lending company or financing company, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is important.

Under the Lending Company Regulation Act of 2007, Republic Act No. 9474, lending companies are regulated by the SEC and generally need authority to operate. The SEC has also issued rules against unfair debt collection practices, including threats, harassment, abusive language, false representations, and public shaming.

SEC Memorandum Circular No. 18, Series of 2019, prohibits unfair debt collection practices by financing and lending companies. These rules also matter where collection is done through agents, collection agencies, or third-party service providers.

The 2026 DICT-NPC-SEC advisory confirms that the relevant online lending rules apply to lending companies, financing companies, and other entities offering or facilitating loans through online lending platforms, whether the platforms are recorded or unrecorded.

Financial Products and Services Consumer Protection Act

The Financial Products and Services Consumer Protection Act, Republic Act No. 11765, strengthens consumer protection for financial products and services, including digital financial services.

Under this law, financial regulators such as the BSP, SEC, Insurance Commission, and CDA may act within their jurisdiction. They may require reports, investigate, impose fines, issue orders, or suspend operations where appropriate. Financial service providers may also be responsible for acts of agents and third-party service providers involved in marketing, collection, or outsourced services. (Supreme Court E-Library)

This is useful if the online lending app, e-wallet, bank, digital bank, financing company, or collection partner is under a financial regulator.

Civil Code and Revised Penal Code

Even when the issue is not purely “cyber,” traditional Philippine laws may still apply.

Under the Civil Code:

Article 19 requires every person to act with justice, give everyone his or her due, and observe honesty and good faith.
Article 20 allows damages when a person willfully or negligently causes damage contrary to law.
Article 21 allows damages for willful acts contrary to morals, good customs, or public policy.
Article 26 protects a person’s dignity, personality, privacy, and peace of mind.

These provisions may support a civil claim for damages if the misuse of your identity caused humiliation, business loss, emotional distress, reputational harm, or other damage.

Under the Revised Penal Code, threats, coercion, unjust vexation, libel, and related offenses may be relevant depending on what collectors did. For example, grave threats and coercions are punished under Articles 282 and 286, while unjust vexation is covered under Article 287. (Lawphil)

Step-by-Step Guide: What to Do If an Online Lending App Used Your Identity

1. Preserve Evidence Before Blocking or Deleting Anything

Do this first. Many online lending apps, collectors, and fake accounts disappear quickly.

Save:

screenshots of loan demands;
SMS, Viber, Messenger, WhatsApp, Telegram, email, or in-app messages;
call logs showing date, time, number, and frequency;
voice recordings, if legally and safely obtained;
screenshots of posts using your name, face, ID, or accusations;
app name, developer name, website, app store link, and screenshots of the app page;
names, phone numbers, emails, and social media accounts of collectors;
proof that your contacts were messaged;
proof of your actual location or activity when the alleged loan was made;
copies of IDs or documents that may have been compromised.

For online evidence, take screenshots that show the date, time, URL, username, phone number, and full context. If the post is public, save the link. If possible, ask affected contacts to send their own screenshots because their evidence may show messages you cannot see.

2. Secure Your Accounts and Devices

If your identity may have been stolen, secure the accounts connected to your phone number and ID.

Do the following:

change passwords for email, e-wallets, banking apps, and social media;
turn on two-factor authentication;
check if your SIM, email, or e-wallet was used for suspicious activity;
revoke unnecessary app permissions on your phone;
uninstall suspicious apps only after preserving evidence;
report lost or compromised IDs to the issuing agency when appropriate;
inform your bank or e-wallet if your account may have been used for loan disbursement or repayment.

If your government ID was used, monitor future transactions. Identity misuse often appears again later in e-wallets, SIM registrations, loan applications, or fake employment/background checks.

3. Do Not Admit the Debt Accidentally

If you did not borrow the money, avoid statements like:

“I will pay later.”
“Can I settle for a lower amount?”
“Please give me more time.”
“I acknowledge the loan but I was hacked.”

Instead, use clear language:

“I dispute this loan. I did not apply for it, did not receive the proceeds, did not authorize the use of my identity, and do not admit liability. Please send proof of the alleged loan, including the application, contract, disbursement record, KYC documents, consent logs, and basis for processing my personal data.”

This helps avoid confusion later. Paying a small amount just to stop harassment may be interpreted as acknowledgment of the debt, and it does not guarantee that the lender will delete your data or correct your credit record.

4. Send a Written Dispute to the Lending App or Collector

Send the dispute by email, in-app support, website ticket, registered mail, or any channel that creates a record. If they only call, ask for an email address and refuse to discuss sensitive information by phone.

Ask for:

the full name of the lending or financing company;
SEC registration number and Certificate of Authority, if any;
the loan application form;
the loan agreement or promissory note;
the Truth in Lending disclosure statement;
the date and time of application;
the phone number, email, device, IP address, and e-wallet or bank account used;
the ID, selfie, video, or KYC data submitted;
proof that you consented to data processing;
proof that you agreed to be a borrower or guarantor;
the identity of any collection agency or third-party service provider;
confirmation that collection and credit reporting are suspended while the account is disputed.

Under the Truth in Lending Act, Republic Act No. 3765, creditors are required to disclose finance charges and the true cost of credit in covered transactions. If they claim you borrowed, they should be able to show the documents and disclosures connected to the alleged loan. (Lawphil)

5. Tell Your Contacts What Happened

If collectors are messaging your family, friends, co-workers, or employer, send a calm notice:

“Someone appears to have used my identity or contact details in connection with an online lending app. I am disputing the alleged loan and reporting the matter. Please do not engage with collectors. Kindly screenshot any message you receive, including the number, name, date, and full text, then send it to me.”

This protects your contacts and helps you collect evidence.

Your contacts are generally not liable just because their names were found in your phonebook or listed as references. The NPC has specifically warned that debt collection should not target persons in a borrower’s contact list except declared guarantors who gave proper consent. (National Privacy Commission)

6. File the Correct Complaint With the Correct Agency

You may need to file with more than one agency because each office handles a different part of the problem.

Problem	Main office to approach	Why
App accessed contacts, photos, ID, or personal data without proper authority	National Privacy Commission	Data Privacy Act violations
Harassment, public shaming, abusive collection, threats by lending app	SEC Financing and Lending Companies Division	Unfair debt collection and lending company regulation
Fake loan using your name, ID, selfie, phone, or account	PNP ACG, NBI Cybercrime Division, CICC, DOJ Office of Cybercrime	Cybercrime, identity theft, fraud
Fake loan appears in your credit report	Credit Information Corporation	Dispute inaccurate credit information
Bank, e-wallet, digital bank, or BSP-supervised entity involved	Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas	Financial consumer complaint

Where to File Complaints in the Philippines

National Privacy Commission

File with the NPC if your personal data was collected, used, shared, disclosed, posted, or retained without proper authority.

The NPC complaint process usually requires a verified and notarized complaint-affidavit. The NPC’s own complaint form states that complaints insufficient in form or substance may be dismissed outright, and that evidence should be attached and organized.

Common NPC requirements include:

completed complaint-affidavit form;
valid government ID;
chronological narration of facts;
copies of screenshots and messages;
proof you contacted the respondent first, or an explanation why you could not;
notarized verification and certification against forum shopping;
filing fee, unless qualified as an indigent complainant.

The NPC schedule of fees lists a filing fee for complaints and separate fees for certain applications or motions. Indigent litigants may be exempt if they submit the required proof, such as a certificate of indigency and supporting affidavits.

You may use the NPC’s official complaint resources through the National Privacy Commission complaints page.

Securities and Exchange Commission

Report to the SEC if the online lending app or collector is connected with a lending company, financing company, or online lending platform.

You can file a report through the SEC i-Message portal. The 2026 DICT-NPC-SEC advisory also identifies the SEC Financing and Lending Companies Division as the office for abusive online lending behavior and lists the SEC hotline 1-4732 or 1-4SEC.

For the SEC, prepare:

app name and screenshots;
company name, if known;
SEC registration or Certificate of Authority claimed by the app;
collector messages and call logs;
screenshots of public shaming;
proof that you disputed the debt;
names and numbers used by collectors.

The SEC can be especially relevant when the issue is unfair debt collection, such as threats, insults, false statements, repeated harassment, or contacting third parties to shame you.

PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group, NBI Cybercrime Division, CICC, and DOJ Office of Cybercrime

If the issue involves identity theft, fake accounts, unauthorized use of your ID or selfie, hacking, threats, or online harassment, report to cybercrime authorities.

Government channels identified in official advisories and public resources include:

Office	Use this when	Common channel
PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group	You need police cybercrime assistance or investigation	PNP ACG e-complaint channels and official email
NBI Cybercrime Division	You need NBI investigation for identity theft, fraud, or online harassment	NBI Cybercrime Division
CICC / Scam Watch	You want to report online scams or cyber incidents	Inter-Agency Response Center hotline 1326
DOJ Office of Cybercrime	Cybercrime coordination and reporting	DOJ cybercrime channels

The DICT-NPC-SEC advisory lists cybercrime reporting channels including the DICT Cyber Hotline, NBI Cybercrime Division, and PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group for abusive online lending activity.

For cybercrime reports, bring both printed and digital copies of evidence. In practice, investigators often ask for screenshots, links, phone numbers, account names, original files, IDs, and a written narration. If the matter is urgent because of threats of violence, go to the nearest police station or cybercrime office immediately.

Credit Information Corporation

If the fake or disputed loan appears in your credit history, use the Credit Information Corporation’s dispute process.

The CIC has an online dispute resolution process for inaccurate credit information. To file a dispute, you generally need a CIC credit report with a 14-digit Transaction Reference Number (TRN), and the report must be recent. (Credit Information Corporation (CIC))

This matters because a fake online loan can affect:

bank loan applications;
credit card applications;
housing loans;
car loans;
employment background checks where credit information is considered;
future financial transactions.

Use the Credit Information Corporation consumer resources to request your credit report and begin the dispute process.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

The BSP is relevant if the entity involved is BSP-supervised, such as a bank, digital bank, e-money issuer, remittance company, or other BSP-regulated financial institution.

For BSP-supervised financial institutions, consumers may file a complaint through the BSP consumer assistance channels, including the BSP Consumer Assistance Mechanism. (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas)

If the app is purely a lending company under SEC supervision, the SEC and NPC are usually more directly relevant. If an e-wallet or bank account was used to receive or move the proceeds, the BSP-supervised institution should also be notified.

Evidence Checklist

Prepare one organized folder. This makes it easier for agencies, lawyers, police officers, and investigators to understand your case.

Evidence	Why it matters
Screenshots of messages	Shows threats, demands, amounts, numbers, names
Call logs	Shows frequency and pattern of harassment
App screenshots	Identifies the lending app, developer, and representations
App store or website link	Helps trace the platform
Messages to your contacts	Proves third-party harassment or contact list misuse
Public posts using your name or photo	Shows public shaming, disclosure, or defamation
Copy of your written dispute	Shows you denied the debt and requested proof
Any response from the lender	Shows admissions, refusal, or failure to verify
Police/NBI/PNP report	Supports identity theft claim
Credit report	Shows whether the fake loan was reported
Valid government ID	Usually required for complaints
Notarized affidavit	Often required for formal proceedings

For screenshots, avoid cropping too tightly. Include the full screen where possible, showing the sender, date, time, and platform.

Sample Written Dispute to an Online Lending App

Use this as a starting point and adjust it to your facts:

I am formally disputing the alleged loan/account under my name. I did not apply for this loan, did not receive any loan proceeds, did not authorize the use of my identity or personal data, and do not admit liability.

Please provide copies of the loan application, loan agreement, Truth in Lending disclosure statement, KYC documents, selfie or ID submitted, mobile number and email used, device/IP logs if available, disbursement account, consent records, and the legal basis for processing my personal data.

Pending investigation, please suspend all collection activity, stop contacting my relatives, friends, employer, and other third parties, stop any credit reporting or negative tagging, and preserve all records related to this disputed account.

If my personal data was obtained, processed, shared, or disclosed without authority, I demand that you identify the source of the data, the recipients of the data, and the third-party collectors or service providers who accessed it.

I reserve my rights under the Data Privacy Act, Cybercrime Prevention Act, SEC regulations, Civil Code, Revised Penal Code, and other applicable laws.

Send this by a channel you can prove later. Save the sent email, ticket number, delivery receipt, or screenshot.

Common Scenarios and What They Mean

“Collectors are calling my contacts. Are my contacts liable?”

Usually, no.

A person is not liable for a loan just because their name appears in a contact list or because they were listed as a character reference. A guarantor must clearly and expressly agree to be responsible for the debt.

If collectors tell your contacts, “You must pay because you know the borrower,” ask for proof of the guaranty. Without consent, that claim is usually intimidation, not a valid legal demand.

“The app says I am a guarantor, but I never signed anything.”

Demand proof of your consent.

Under current NPC guidance, online lending platforms must distinguish between character references and guarantors. A guarantor must expressly bind himself or herself to pay if the borrower defaults. (National Privacy Commission)

Ask for:

the guaranty agreement;
electronic signature or consent record;
timestamp and device used;
copy of the notice shown to you;
proof that you understood and accepted guarantor liability.

If they cannot produce proof, dispute the claim and report the misuse of your personal data.

“They posted my photo and called me a scammer.”

Save the post immediately.

This may involve data privacy violations, cyber harassment, cyberlibel, unjust vexation, or civil damages depending on the wording and context. Take screenshots showing the full post, URL, account name, date, comments, and reactions. Ask trusted people to capture the post from their accounts too, especially if you were blocked.

Report the post to the platform, but do not rely only on platform takedown. Preserve evidence first.

“They are threatening to file estafa if I do not pay.”

For a real borrower, unpaid debt is generally a civil matter unless fraud existed from the beginning. For a person whose identity was stolen, the issue is different: you are saying you never borrowed and your identity was misused.

Do not ignore real legal papers. If you receive a barangay notice, subpoena, prosecutor’s notice, small claims summons, or court document, attend and respond on time. Bring your evidence showing identity theft or lack of consent.

“The app is unregistered or changed names.”

This is common. Some online lending apps change app names, developer names, websites, phone numbers, or collection accounts.

Preserve all identifiers:

app name;
developer name;
package name or app store URL;
website domain;
email address;
payment account;
collector phone numbers;
screenshots of the privacy policy or terms;
company name shown in messages.

Even if the app is unregistered, the NPC advisory states that rules may apply to entities offering or facilitating loans through online lending platforms whether recorded or unrecorded.

“I am an OFW or abroad. Can I still file?”

Yes, but documents may be harder to execute.

If you are abroad, you may need:

a notarized affidavit;
a Special Power of Attorney if someone in the Philippines will file or follow up for you;
consular notarization at a Philippine Embassy or Consulate, or apostille/legalization depending on where the document was executed and what the receiving office requires;
scanned evidence and proof of identity;
a Philippine contact number or email for agency communications.

Philippine embassies and consulates commonly provide notarial services for affidavits and SPAs that will be used in the Philippines. If the document is notarized by a foreign notary, ask the receiving Philippine agency whether an apostille is required.

“I am a foreigner and a Philippine lending app used my identity.”

Foreigners can still complain if their personal data was processed in connection with a Philippine online lending platform, Philippine company, Philippine users, or Philippine-based harm.

Prepare:

passport or foreign ID;
proof of Philippine phone number, address, employment, or transaction, if relevant;
screenshots and messages;
proof you did not apply for or receive the loan;
notarized or apostilled documents if filing from abroad;
local representative documents if someone will act for you.

Foreigners should also check whether their passport, visa, ACR I-Card, Philippine SIM, e-wallet, or bank account was misused.

Practical Timelines and Bottlenecks

There is no single timeline because several agencies may be involved. In practice:

Action	Usual practical timing	Common bottleneck
Preserving evidence	Same day	Posts deleted before screenshot
Written dispute to app	Same day to 48 hours	No working email or vague company identity
SEC report	Days to weeks for initial handling, depending on volume	App is unrecorded, renamed, or uses third-party collectors
NPC complaint	Can take longer, especially for formal complaints	Incomplete affidavit, no notarization, weak evidence
Cybercrime report	Often requires personal appearance or detailed affidavit	Lack of original links, numbers, or device evidence
CIC dispute	After obtaining a recent credit report	No TRN or old credit report
Court or prosecutor response	Date stated in notice	Ignoring summons or missing deadlines

The biggest mistake is waiting too long. Online evidence disappears quickly, and agencies are more effective when you provide organized proof.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can an online lending app contact my relatives or employer?

An online lending app should not freely use your contact list for harassment, public shaming, or debt collection from people who are not proper guarantors. Philippine privacy rules require data processing to be legitimate, necessary, and not excessive. If relatives, friends, or employers are contacted to shame or pressure you, preserve evidence and report it to the NPC and SEC.

Am I liable if someone used my ID to borrow money online?

Not automatically. If you did not apply, did not consent, did not receive the proceeds, and did not authorize the transaction, you should dispute the debt in writing and demand proof. You may also report possible identity theft or fraud to cybercrime authorities.

What if I was only listed as a character reference?

Being a character reference does not make you a borrower or guarantor. A guarantor must expressly agree to be liable. If collectors demand payment from you merely because you were listed as a reference, ask for proof of your guaranty and report misuse of your personal data.

Can I file a complaint with the NPC online?

The NPC allows complaints to be submitted through its official process, but formal complaints generally require the proper complaint-affidavit, supporting evidence, valid ID, verification, and notarization. The NPC complaint form warns that complaints insufficient in form or substance may be dismissed.

Should I go to the barangay first?

For online identity theft, data privacy violations, and cybercrime, the barangay is usually not the main office. However, a barangay blotter may help document harassment, threats, or local incidents. If the issue involves cybercrime, go to the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group, NBI Cybercrime Division, CICC, or DOJ Office of Cybercrime. If it involves data misuse, go to the NPC. If it involves a lending company, report to the SEC.

Can collectors threaten to post my photo or message my contacts?

No. Using photos, personal data, or contact lists to embarrass or pressure a person can violate privacy rules and debt collection regulations. NPC Circular No. 2022-02 specifically addresses the improper use of photos and contact lists in online lending collection.

What if the app says it has my consent because I clicked “Allow”?

Consent is not a blank check. Under Philippine privacy rules, data processing must still be transparent, legitimate, and proportional. App permissions must be necessary and not excessive. A general permission to access a phone feature does not automatically justify harassment, public shaming, contacting unrelated people, or treating references as guarantors.

Can I sue for damages?

Possibly, depending on the evidence and harm. Civil Code Articles 19, 20, 21, and 26 may support a damages claim for bad faith, unlawful acts, privacy invasion, humiliation, or reputational harm. Criminal or administrative complaints may also be available depending on the facts. Keep proof of emotional distress, lost work opportunities, business damage, medical consultations, or reputational harm if you plan to claim damages.

What if I receive a real court summons for the loan?

Do not ignore it. Online lending claims may be filed as small claims or ordinary civil actions depending on the amount and circumstances. If you receive a court document, read the deadline, prepare evidence that you did not borrow or consent, and respond within the required period. Bring copies of your police, NPC, SEC, or cybercrime reports if available.

How do I remove a fake online loan from my credit record?

Get your credit report from the Credit Information Corporation or an accredited credit bureau, then use the CIC dispute process if the information is inaccurate. You will usually need the transaction reference number from a recent credit report. Also send a written dispute to the lender demanding correction, suspension of reporting, and confirmation that the disputed account is not yours.

Key Takeaways

If your identity was used by an online lending app, treat it as a legal and evidence issue, not just an annoying collection problem.
Do not pay or admit the debt until the lender proves that you applied, consented, received the proceeds, and became legally liable.
Preserve screenshots, call logs, app details, posts, links, and messages to your contacts before blocking or deleting anything.
File with the NPC for personal data misuse, the SEC for unfair online lending or debt collection, and cybercrime authorities for identity theft, threats, fake accounts, or online harassment.
A character reference is not a guarantor. A guarantor must expressly agree to pay if the borrower defaults.
Contact list access, public shaming, threats, and excessive app permissions are red flags under Philippine online lending and privacy rules.
If the fake loan affects your credit record, request your credit report and use the CIC dispute process.
OFWs, Filipinos abroad, and foreigners can still act, but may need notarized, consularized, or apostilled documents depending on where and how they file.