How to Deal with Harassment from Loan Apps

Risks of borrowing through apps
Over the past decade, consumer lending in Vietnam has grown about 20% annually, reaching more than VND 2 quadrillion by the end of 2024, equal to 20–22% of total outstanding loans. With the rise of online shopping and cashless payments, quick unsecured loans via apps have become popular among students, workers, and freelancers who struggle to access bank credit.

However, these loans carry high risks: personal data leaks, hidden interest rates and fees, and exposure to loan sharks. When borrowers miss payments, some apps resort to harassment — nonstop calls, threatening messages, and even intimidation of family, friends, or coworkers. In some cases, victims are wrongly targeted because criminals used their stolen ID information to borrow.

Guidelines from authorities
The Commission advises people facing debt collection harassment to:

• Stay calm and gather evidence by recording calls or saving threatening messages.

• If you are not the borrower, clearly state you have no repayment obligation, refuse unreasonable payment requests, and alert relatives and colleagues to be cautious.

• Report the incident with all collected evidence to the nearest police office for support.

Prevention measures
Authorities stress the importance of avoiding unknown or unlicensed loan apps. Never share your ID card or personal details with strangers online. Exercising caution from the beginning is the most effective way to avoid illegal debt collection and protect yourself from intimidation.