What can I do about an unregistered online lending app?
Last updated: 2026-07-10 · Educational content; not legal advice.
Short answer
Report it to the SEC — operating a lending company without a Certificate of Authority is a criminal offense under RA 9474 §12, punishable by a fine of ₱10,000 to ₱50,000 or imprisonment of 6 months to 10 years, or both. The SEC can issue a cease-and-desist order, and it has revoked or shut down dozens of unregistered online lending platforms since 2019. If the app also scraped your data or contacts, file in parallel with the National Privacy Commission under RA 10173. LabanPH generates both complaints and tells you exactly where to send them.
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Frequently asked
Do I still have to pay a loan from an unregistered app?
The illegality of the lender does not automatically erase a genuine debt, but an unregistered lender cannot lawfully enforce abusive terms, and courts can void unconscionable interest under Civil Code Art. 1306. Do not let a threat of an illegal collector pressure you — document everything and report it.
What evidence should I include?
The app name and developer, screenshots of its listing, your loan disclosure (or the absence of one), threatening messages, and any permission requests. Note that the entity does not appear on the SEC's registered list or is named in an SEC Advisory.
How fast does the SEC act?
The SEC has issued cease-and-desist orders against egregious unregistered OLPs in as little as two weeks; coordinated complaints from multiple borrowers tend to move faster.
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Interest caps, licensing, and how to complain about online lending apps in the Philippines.