DOJ warns lending firms on unfair debt collection

The Department of Justice (DoJ) has warned online lending companies’ over their unfair debt collection practices and cyberharassment.
    The DoJ, through its Office of Cybercrime, issued an advisory Wednesday due to increasing number of complaints from the public against such companies.
    To combat or prevent the further commission of unfair debt collection practices and cyberharassments, the DoJ urged the public to report erring lending companies to the National Bureau of Investigation Cybercrimes Division, the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group, the National Privacy Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
    In particular, the acts complained of include the following:
– Accessing debtors’ phone book/contact list for purposes of sending them messages in the event of untimely and/or non-payment;
– Posting debtors’ personal and sensitive personal information online for purposes of shaming them;
– Threatening debtors with death and physical injuries if they fail to settle their account balances; and
– Using profane language through text messages directly sent to debtors and to debtors’ references for purposes of shaming them.
    Victims may institute the necessary action against lending companies.