Fake Loan App Harassment: Where to File a Complaint

Fake loan app harassment means abuse by an app that has no RBI-regulated bank or NBFC behind it. These apps use recovery tactics that no regulated lender is allowed to use: calling people in your phone list, threats, abusive language, and morphed images.

Borrowing from an app does not justify threats or abusive recovery tactics. Report the conduct, preserve the evidence and let the appropriate authorities assess the complaint.

It helps to separate two situations. If a bank's or NBFC's recovery agent oversteps, that is a different route, covered in our guide to the loan recovery agent harassment complaint process. If the lender is an unregistered app, this page applies.

For a wider look at app versus bank harassment, see loan app harassment. For the warning signs of a trap, see illegal loan apps. We won't repeat those lists here, because this page is about what to do next.

The answer decides which channel you use for your fake loan app harassment complaint. Three steps:

1. Find the lender's name. Look in the app, its terms or your loan agreement. A legitimate app names the bank or NBFC that is lending.

2. Check RBI's directory of apps. RBI publishes a list of "DLAs deployed by Regulated Entities" under Citizen's Corner on rbi.org.in. Since 1 July 2025 it lists the apps that banks and NBFCs report to RBI. RBI publishes it as reported by lenders, without its own validation, so treat it as a strong check, not proof.

3. Check the NBFC itself. Look for it on RBI's list of registered NBFCs.

The result. If the app identifies a regulated lender, contact the lender first and check whether the RBI Ombudsman can consider your complaint. If no lender is named or the association cannot be verified, report the concern through Sachet and the appropriate police or cybercrime channel.

Do this before you install any lending app, too. Screenshot the terms on day one.

There is no single office for a loan app harassment complaint. Each channel covers a different part, so using two or three together works better than one.

What can RBI do? It takes Sachet complaints and routes them through State Level Coordination Committees that include the police. RBI coordinates with other authorities on unauthorised lending apps. MeitY may direct blocking under Section 69A of the IT Act through the prescribed process, while suspected criminal conduct should be reported to the police.

If you are looking for a loan fraud complaint route, or simply where to complain, start with the table. If you can't find the app's lender in RBI's lists or the directory, don't spend time on the Ombudsman: go to Sachet and 1930.

RBI has told the public to report unauthorised digital lending apps, and the bank accounts linked to them, to law enforcement, and to use the Sachet portal to file an online complaint (RBI press release, 23 Dec 2020).

These are the numbers to keep handy. The same ones apply whatever the app's name, including "7 days" loan apps.

If you only remember one number, make it 1930. Call it first, then complete the loan app harassment complaint number lookup by filing on cybercrime.gov.in so you have a reference number.

Getting abusive calls or surprise visits from agents? FREED Shield helps with abusive recovery calls or unannounced agent visits. It's open to everyone.

A loan app harassment complaint is stronger with proof. Collect these before you file:

• The app and loan screens. The app listing, its terms, and the loan amount and repayment screens.

• Every call and message. Screenshots with date and time, including messages sent to your contacts.

• Bank entries. Money in and money out, with the UPI IDs or bank accounts the app asked you to pay into. RBI asks people to report these too.

• ID and a written timeline. A short note of what happened and when.

One caution: don't delete the app until you have screenshotted everything. After that, revoke its permissions for contacts, photos and SMS in your phone settings.

Keep all of this in one folder, on your phone and backed up somewhere else. You will use it for Sachet, the cyber crime portal, and the police if it comes to an FIR.

You can file a loan app harassment complaint online on both portals. The steps are similar.

On Sachet (sachet.rbi.org.in)

1. Open the portal and choose to file a complaint.

2. Give the app's name, the lender's name if any, and the dates.

3. Describe what happened and attach your screenshots.

4. Submit and save the reference number.

On the cyber crime portal (cybercrime.gov.in)

1. Choose to report a cyber crime and select the category for financial fraud or harassment.

2. Register or log in with your mobile number.

3. Enter details and upload evidence.

4. Submit and save the acknowledgement number.

Third, a quick action: open the app's Play Store page and use "Flag as inappropriate".

For what to write in each complaint, see our complaint format guide.

File on Sachet and the cyber crime portal on the same day, and keep both reference numbers together. You'll need them for any follow-up or credit report dispute.

Neither Sachet nor the cyber crime portal publishes a fixed response time. Follow up using your reference numbers, and keep a note of every contact.

Filing deals with the harassment. It doesn't settle whether you owe anything, or how much, because that depends on the facts. If you are unsure, take legal advice, and don't pay into personal UPI IDs under threat.

If the app's lender reported something wrong on your credit report, dispute it with the bureau and cite your complaint numbers.

A word on how you're feeling. Being hounded by calls and fearing messages to your family or workplace is stressful, and many people feel ashamed. You are not alone, and none of this is your fault. If it is getting too much, talk to someone. Tele-MANAS (14416) and iCall offer confidential support. Reaching out is a sensible step, not a weakness.

FREED doesn't file complaints for you, and it can't make an illegal app stop.

FREED Shield helps if you are getting abusive recovery calls or unannounced visits. It's open to everyone.

If your loans from banks and NBFCs are also hard to manage, and your credit score is 700 or above, the Loan Consolidation Plan combines eligible unsecured loans into one EMI. FREED charges the customer nothing for it. This is for loans from regulated lenders only, not for an illegal app's loan.

If you truly cannot repay those regulated loans, settlement is the other route. Settlement is not something a borrower chooses out of preference. It can reduce what you owe by up to 50%*, the "Settled" status can stay on your report for up to 7 years, and there is a non-refundable evaluation fee. See the debt resolution programme. FREED does not handle secured loans such as home, car or gold loans.

*Terms apply. Outcomes vary by lender and case.