The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) has launched a crackdown on abusive online lending apps (OLAs) in the Philippines after receiving more than 13,000 consumer complaints in just two months.
Users have reported harassment, threats, and privacy violations, with many saying the apps caused financial, emotional, and reputational harm.
The PAOCC said it is working with the Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to investigate these apps and support affected users.
The SEC reminded the public that apps operating without valid licenses or business permits pose serious risks, such as hidden charges, aggressive collection methods, and data privacy issues. Several apps have already been taken down or blocked.
Earlier this year, the PAOCC helped shut down 89 fake lending pages and banned 27 administrators, in collaboration with international partners.
What do you think of PAOCC’s efforts against online lending apps? Share your thoughts below.
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