A loan app sends threatening messages to your contacts, labels you a criminal, and shares your personal photos with colleagues and family. You want the harassment to stop, but you have no idea where to turn or which agency handles your specific type of complaint.
Thousands of Nigerians face this situation every month, and many suffer in silence because the complaint process feels unclear. The FCCPC, CBN, and NDPC each handle different types of violations, and knowing which one to contact determines how quickly you get resolution.
This guide walks you through the exact steps for filing an FCCPC complaint, gathering evidence, and escalating to other agencies when needed.
FCCPC complaint process for reporting loan app harassment
The FCCPC is Nigeria’s primary consumer protection regulator and oversees digital lending under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act of 2018. Borrowers who experience harassment, unauthorized contact access, or exploitative interest rates can file a complaint through three channels the agency maintains.
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How to stop loan apps from messaging your contacts in Nigeria
The first option is the online complaint portal at fccpc.gov.ng, where you navigate to “File a Complaint” and fill in the loan app’s name, contact address, loan amount, and a full description of the issue. The second option is email, where you send complaints directly to contact@fccpc.gov.ng or lenderstaskforce@fccpc.gov.ng for faster processing, the Guardian reported.
The third channel is social media, where borrowers can message the FCCPC directly on X to flag urgent cases of loan app harassment.
Evidence you need before filing an FCCPC or CBN loan complaint
Strong evidence is the foundation of any successful complaint, and collecting it before you file gives regulators the material they need to act. Borrowers who submit incomplete reports face delays because investigators must request additional documentation before they can proceed with enforcement.
Documents and records to gather before filing
- Screenshots of all threatening or defamatory messages the app sent to you or your contacts, with timestamps visible.
- A record of every call, notification, or SMS the app sent, including dates, times, and the phone numbers used.
- The loan agreement or terms you accepted, showing the stated interest rate and repayment schedule for your loan.
- Bank statements confirming the exact amount disbursed, fees deducted, and all repayments you have already made.
- App permissions the platform requested, retrievable from your device settings under the app’s information page.
CBN complaint path for microfinance bank-linked loan apps
Popular loan apps like FairMoney and Carbon operate under microfinance bank licenses issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria. When these platforms engage in predatory behavior, borrowers have an additional complaint path through the CBN’s Consumer Protection Department, which handles disputes involving all CBN-regulated financial institutions.
The CBN requires borrowers to first report the complaint to the bank where the issue originated and allow a two-week window for resolution, the CBN’s complaint lodgment guide explains. If the institution fails to resolve your complaint within that period, you can escalate to the CBN’s Consumer Protection Department directly.
NDPC and EFCC paths for data privacy violations and extortion
When a loan app accesses your contacts, photos, or call logs without explicit consent, the violation falls under the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, established under the Nigeria Data Protection Act of 2023. The NDPC disclosed in its 2023 annual report that it was investigating more than 400 cases of privacy breaches involving digital lenders, Punch reported. Borrowers can file complaints through the NDPC portal at ndpc.gov.ng with their full name, the app’s name, a description of the violation, and supporting evidence.
When harassment crosses into outright extortion or criminal defamation, borrowers can escalate to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Threats to publish fabricated criminal records, distribute manipulated images, or demand payments beyond the agreed loan terms qualify as criminal matters under Nigerian law.
Penalties predatory loan apps face under Nigeria’s DEON regulations
Under the DEON Regulations gazetted on July 21, 2025, non-compliant digital lenders face fines of up to ₦100 million or 1% of annual turnover, the FCCPC confirmed. Company directors can also face disqualification from serving on any board for up to five years under these landmark rules.
“The Commission has always maintained that the rule of law is fundamental to effective regulation and good governance. Now that the court has affirmed the validity of the DEON Regulations, we will continue to discharge our statutory responsibilities faithfully and in accordance with the law.” — Ondaje Ijagwu, Director of Corporate Affairs, FCCPC, in a statement reported by Punch
FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman and CEO Tunji Bello stated that enforcement aims to promote discipline, transparency, and consumer confidence within the digital lending space, Vanguard reported. As of 2026, the FCCPC and CBN have authorized over 457 digital money lenders to operate legally while removing dozens of predatory platforms.
Key takeaways for reporting predatory loan apps in Nigeria
- File FCCPC complaints through the online portal at fccpc.gov.ng, by email to contact@fccpc.gov.ng, or via social media on X.
- Report CBN-licensed microfinance bank apps to the lender first, then escalate to the CBN Consumer Protection Department after two weeks.
- Submit data privacy violations to the NDPC at ndpc.gov.ng with full supporting evidence and the date the violation occurred.
- Escalate criminal extortion or defamation by loan apps to the EFCC through a formal petition at any office nationwide.
- Non-compliant lenders face fines up to ₦100 million, director disqualification for five years, and permanent delisting from app stores.
