Fake loan app harassment

What you need to know

Fake loan apps accessing contacts and sending threatening messages are illegal under RBI Digital Lending Guidelines 2022 and IT Act. File cybercrime FIR, report to RBI Sachet portal, and report app to Google Play/Apple.

Your rights

File cybercrime FIR against app operators

Report unauthorised app to RBI Sachet portal

Report app to Google Play and Apple App Store

Challenge any loan not from RBI-registered NBFC/Bank

What you should do now

Action first

Block and report — do not pay anything

Uninstall app immediately, block all numbers calling from it
Do not pay any amount — it is a scam regardless of what they threaten
Report on cybercrime.gov.in with screenshots
Report on RBI Sachet portal (sachet.rbi.org.in) if app claims to be a lender

If they threaten or contact your family/colleagues

File police FIR for extortion and criminal intimidation
Courts and police are taking strict action against fake loan apps

Acts applicable

IT Act 2000

central

Section 66 — Hacking and harassment, Section 67 — Privacy violation

RBI Digital Lending Guidelines 2022

central

Authorised digital lenders only — contact persons directly

Where to complain

Cybercrime Portal — 1930 Helpline RBI Sachet — Report Unauthorised App RBI Banking Ombudsman

Consumer complaint portal: e-jagriti.gov.in (replaced edaakhil.nic.in as of Jan 2025). Labour complaints: col.gujarat.gov.in. All links verified June 2026 via web search against official government sources.