How to Report Licensed Money Lender Harassment in Singapore

Key Takeaways

• Regardless of whether it is loan shark harassment or pressure from a licensed lender’s debt collector, harassment should always be reported.
• Call 999, or SMS 70999 (Police Emergency SMS Service) if you cannot speak, when you are in immediate danger. Otherwise, make a Police report online or call 1800-255-0000.
• For licensed money lender harassment, you can file a complaint with the Registry of Moneylenders and lodge a Police report.
• Keep all your evidence to protect yourself. Reporting does not cancel your loan.

Money lender harassment can turn an overdue loan into a frightening ordeal. This might be victims receiving threatening calls, abusive messages or even paint splashed across their front doors.

While falling behind on repayments with a money lender in Singapore is stressful, it’s not something that anyone wants. Nobody has the right to intimidate you. This guide covers what counts as harassment, who to report it to, what evidence to gather and what happens after you make a report.

What Counts as Money Lender Harassment in Singapore?

Harassment is any debt-collection behaviour meant to threaten, abuse or frighten a borrower into paying.

Common examples include:

• Threats of violence against you or your loved ones
• A flood of abusive calls or messages at all hours
• Vandalism, such as graffiti or splashed paint on your door
• Harassment notes left at your home
• Pressuring your family, neighbours or colleagues

Unlicensed money lender harassment tends to be the most aggressive, but debt collectors acting for licensed lenders can sometimes cross the line too.

It’s worth noting, though, that a licensed lender contacting you about an overdue payment, or taking legal action to recover a debt, is not harassment on its own. Licensed lenders must follow strict debt collection rules, and any conduct that breaks them should be reported.

Who Should You Report Money Lender Harassment to?

If you need help with harassment, here’s a quick guide to assist you.

In short, the Police handle criminal acts such as threats and vandalism, while the Registry of Moneylenders regulates licensed lenders.

If you are unsure whether you are dealing with a legitimate money lender in Singapore, try searching for the lender on the official List of Licensed Moneylenders. If the name is missing, you are likely facing unlicensed money lender harassment, so learn how to spot blacklisted lenders and how the Registry protects borrowers.

What Evidence to Gather Before Reporting Money Lender Harassment?

Solid evidence makes your report easier to act on, so keep:

• Screenshots of messages showing the sender’s number and timestamps
• Call logs and voice messages
• Photos or videos of property damage and harassment notes
• CCTV or door camera footage, if available
• Your loan contract and repayment receipts
• A log of the date, time and location of each incident

Avoid deleting anything, even abusive chats. You may block the numbers involved for some peace, but only after you have saved the evidence.

How to Report Money Lender Harassment: Step-by-Step Guide

Once your evidence is in order, follow the steps below to report harassment by money lenders. They are listed in order of urgency, so if you are in immediate danger, start with step #1.

#1 Get to Safety and Call 999

If someone is threatening you or waiting outside your home, move somewhere safe and call 999 straight away. If you cannot speak, you may SMS 70999 instead. Do not confront or retaliate against the harassers.

#2 Make a Police Report

For threats, vandalism, harassment notes or intimidation of your family that are not an emergency, make a Police report through Police e-services, at any Neighbourhood Police Centre or by calling the Police hotline at 1800-255-0000. This applies to both loan shark harassment and harassment from a licensed lender’s debt collector. Keep the report number, if you are given one, for your records and any follow-up.

#3 File a Complaint With the Registry of Moneylenders

If you are met with licensed money lender harassment, lodge a report online with the Registry of Moneylenders or call 1800-2255-529 for help. Attach your loan documents and the evidence you have gathered, then lodge a Police report as well. Do note that they may contact you for more information or an interview, and they will not disclose your details to the money lender without your consent.

#4 Report Loan Shark Activity Through I-Witness

You do not need to be the borrower to report a loan shark. If you spot suspicious activity, such as a neighbour’s door being vandalised or unsolicited loan SMSes landing in your inbox, you may report unlicensed money lender activity through I-Witness or the Police hotline.

A good rule of thumb is that licensed lenders are not allowed to advertise through SMS or messaging apps. If you see a message from a WhatsApp money lender, be careful, as it is likely a scam.

What Happens After You Report Money Lender Harassment?

What happens next is on a case-by-case basis. Below are some scenarios to consider.

If It Is Loan Shark Harassment: The Police Take the Lead

Officers may contact you to record a statement and investigate the case. Under the Moneylenders Act, first-time offenders face a fine of S$5,000 to S$50,000, up to five years’ jail and up to six strokes of the cane. In a recent case, the Police arrested a man within a day for a series of loan shark graffiti incidents.

If It Is a Licensed Lender’s Debt Collector: The Registry of Moneylenders Steps In

Other than reporting to the Registry of Moneylenders, you should also lodge a Police report. Registry officers may ask for further documents or an interview, and licensed lenders found to have broken the rules can face regulatory action.

Making a report does not cancel a loan from a licensed lender, so you will still need to fulfil your repayment obligations as a borrower.

If you are struggling to keep up with repayments, our guide explains what happens when you are unable to pay a money lender.

Conclusion: Stand Up to Money Lender Harassment

Whether it comes from a loan shark or a licensed lender’s debt collector, harassment should never be tolerated. Keep your evidence, go to the Police for threats and criminal acts and report licensed lenders to the Registry of Moneylenders. Most importantly, borrow only from a legal lender. Here’s why you should choose an authorised lender, and our guide to licensed money lenders explains what to look out for.

Borrowing should never come with fear or pressure. If you are looking for a central and trusted financial institution, Galaxy Credit is a licensed money lender in Singapore listed on the Registry of Moneylenders.

With Galaxy Credit, you can expect clear loan terms and respectful service from your first enquiry to your final repayment. Get in touch with us if you have any questions, or apply now to get started!

FAQs about reporting money lender harassment

How do I report a loan shark in Singapore?

Call 999 if you are in immediate danger. For non-urgent cases, here is how to report a loan shark in Singapore: call the Police hotline at 1800-255-0000 or submit a tip through I-Witness, where all information is kept confidential.

Will the money lender know that I reported them?

The answer is no, not without your consent. The Registry of Moneylenders will not disclose your details to a licensed lender unless you agree to it, and the Police treat your report as confidential.

Does reporting a money lender cancel my loan?

No, it does not. Reporting harassment by money lenders does not cancel your loan, so you will still need to repay it according to your loan contract.

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