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Showing posts with label Protect Data Privacy. Show all posts

Why I Turned to an Online Lending App

I never imagined I would go through something like this.

It all started when my mother needed eye surgery. As her daughter, I wanted to make sure she had everything—her medicines, food, and daily needs during recovery. But like many of us, there are moments when finances fall short.

That’s when I turned to an Online Lending App (OLA).

At that time, it felt like a quick solution to a real problem.

I Borrowed Money—and I Paid It

I want to make this clear—I borrowed money, and I paid what I owed.

But there were times I wasn’t able to pay on the exact due date. And that’s when everything changed.

The Harassment Started

It didn’t just stop at reminders.

I started receiving:

Non-stop calls
Multiple text messages daily
Emails that felt threatening

What hurt me the most was when they started contacting my references. People I trusted were dragged into something that should have been my responsibility alone.

I felt embarrassed, stressed, and anxious every single day.

Even After Payment, the Harassment Continued

Here’s the part that really shocked me.

Even after I settled my debts, I continued receiving harassment—not just from the app I used, but from other OLAs I never even applied for.

They:

Threatened to post me online
Sent alarming messages
Contacted people from my phonebook

I kept asking myself:

How did they get my number?

How did they access my contacts?

The Truth I Discovered

I decided to seek help from a cybercrime group.

That’s when I found out something that changed everything.

The possible reason? Using public WiFi at the airport and OLA you applied with will give your details to other third parties.

At that moment, when I connected to public WiFi and signed up for an OLA, I may have unknowingly allowed access to my personal data.

That includes:

My phone number
My contact list
My email

That realization scared me.

One of My Emails Was Already Compromised

I immediately checked all my accounts.

I secured:

My bank accounts
GCash
PayPal
Google Play
Emails

But sadly, one of my email accounts had already been hacked. I could no longer recover it.

That’s when I knew this was no longer just about borrowing money—this was about data privacy and cyber harassment.

I Took Legal Action: Filing Affidavits of Complaint

I refused to stay silent.

I prepared and submitted affidavits of complaint to the following agencies:

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
National Privacy Commission (NPC)
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)
Philippine National Police (PNP)

Taking this step was not easy, but it was necessary—not just for me, but for others who might be experiencing the same abuse.

What I Learned from This Experience

This experience changed how I view online safety.

Here are the lessons I want to share:

1. Protect Your Data at All Costs

Your phone contains your life—your contacts, your identity, your privacy.

2. Avoid Public WiFi for Sensitive Transactions

Especially when logging into financial apps or submitting personal information.

3. Be Careful with App Permissions

Never allow access to contacts, messages, or files unless it is absolutely required.

4. Not All OLAs Are Safe

Some operate unethically and may violate your rights.

5. Know Your Rights and Take Action

Harassment is not normal. Threats are not acceptable.

Finding Support Through FOLS

I am grateful that I found Fight Online Loan Shark (FOLS) through Madam Kikay B. This organization helped me understand my situation better and reminded me that I am not alone. They gave me the courage to stand up and fight back.

To Anyone Experiencing OLA Harassment

If you are going through the same thing, please hear me:

Do not be afraid

Do not be ashamed

Do not stay silent

You have the right to protect yourself.

What started as a simple loan for my mother’s surgery turned into one of the most stressful experiences of my life. But it also made me stronger, wiser, and more aware.

By sharing my story, I hope to raise awareness and help others avoid the same situation. If you are experiencing harassment from online lending apps, take action. Seek help. Protect your data.

We all deserve peace of mind—not fear.

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