Loan recovery agent harassing you? Your rights and how to complain
Updated 2026-10 · General information, not legal advice.
Lenders can ask you to repay, but not through threats, abuse or contacting your family and employer to shame you. RBI rules require fair recovery practices.
When to use this
- Agents call at odd hours or repeatedly
- They threaten you or contact your family or workplace
- A digital loan app is harassing you
Step by step
- 1
Record the harassment
Save call logs, recordings, messages and dates. Note the agent's name or number.
- 2
Complain to the lender in writing
Write to the lender's grievance officer and ask them to stop and to name the agency. Keep the complaint number.
- 3
Escalate to the RBI Ombudsman
If the lender is a bank or an NBFC and does not act in 30 days, file free at cms.rbi.org.in.
- 4
Go to the police for threats or abuse
Threats, abuse or contacting others to shame you can be a criminal offence. For online fraud or digital app harassment, report on 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in.
Key facts
- RBI guidelines expect recovery calls only at reasonable hours, roughly 8 am to 7 pm
- Not paying a genuine dues does not allow a lender to harass you
- Only use loan apps that name a regulated lender
Get your free action plan
Tell us what happened. We show your options, draft the letters and track every deadline.
Common questions
Can a recovery agent call my family or boss?
Contacting others to shame or pressure you is not acceptable. Complain to the lender and the police.
What if the loan app is not a bank or NBFC?
Report it on 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in and to the police; unregulated apps are a common source of harassment.