Does Pesoloan Call Your Contacts? Privacy Facts

By Pesoloan Editorial Team · Published 01/11/2026

Quick Answer

Pesoloan's Google Play data-safety section, as declared by the developer, says no data is shared with third parties, but some borrowers have publicly alleged that contacts were messaged or called. We did not find a regulator finding on this point for Pesoloan. SEC rules prohibit lenders from contacting people in your contact list other than the guarantors or co-makers you named, even if you gave permission.

Contact-list access is the privacy issue borrowers worry about most. A lender that can see your contacts may be able to message them, and a message about a debt to a relative or an employer can cause real harm. This article explains what Pesoloan declares, what the law says, what borrowers allege and how to protect yourself.

What Pesoloan Declares

The Google Play listing includes a "Data safety" section, which developers fill in themselves. For Pesoloan it says that no data is shared with third parties and links to a privacy policy. The App Store listing also points to the developer's privacy policy. The developer, Masaganang Buhay Finance Philippines Corporation, is responsible for the accuracy of those declarations.

We could not retrieve the full text of the app's privacy policy outside the app itself, so we cannot say here which permissions the app requests or how contact data is used. Before you accept any permission, read the policy and the permission prompt carefully.

What the Rules Say

SEC Memorandum Circular No. 18, Series of 2019 states that, notwithstanding the borrower's consent, contacting persons in the borrower's contact list other than those named as guarantors or co-makers is an unfair debt collection practice.
The Financial Products and Services Consumer Protection Act (Republic Act No. 11765) and its SEC implementing rules treat the same conduct as an abusive debt recovery practice.
The Data Privacy Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10173) requires lawful, fair and proportionate handling of personal data. Collecting more data than needed, or using it for shaming, can be a violation.
Public advisories. According to a 2026 summary of an advisory by the DICT, NPC and SEC, unnecessary app permissions, excessive contact-list access, harassment, public shaming and contacting people who are not guarantors are prohibited. Check the official advisory pages to confirm the current text.

The SEC has penalized lenders for this conduct. In 2026 it sanctioned Myloan Lending after a borrower complained of shaming messages and threats to contact employers and emergency contacts. In 2023 it ordered six lending and financing companies to stop unfair collection that included contacting people in borrowers' lists. These cases involve other companies and are examples of how the rules are applied.

What Borrowers Allege About Pesoloan

A public FOI submission to the National Privacy Commission in November 2023 alleged that a collection agent called one of the requester's contacts. The submission named several apps, including Pesoloan.
An FOI submission in October 2023 alleged harassment and threats involving a relative's photo.
Some forum and social media posts describe messages to personal references after a missed payment.

These are individual accounts, and we cannot confirm them. We did not find a published SEC or NPC decision that finds Pesoloan responsible, and we did not find any retraction by those posting. A note on the context: several of the records name more than one lender, so they cannot be used to judge a single company. For a fuller breakdown, see our article on what borrowers report about Pesoloan harassment.

Why Apps Ask for Contacts

Lenders sometimes ask for contact-list access for identity or risk checks. Other apps' privacy policies have described using address-book data to "control risk" or "increase the pass rate" of applications. A stated purpose does not make every use lawful. Under SEC rules, even with consent, a lender cannot contact people in your list other than your named guarantors or co-makers.

How to Limit Your Exposure

Read the permission prompt before you tap Allow. If the app does not need your contacts for your application, choose Deny where your phone allows it.
Review permissions in phone settings. On Android, open Settings, then Apps, then the app, then Permissions. On iPhone, open Settings, then the app. Remove anything you do not want to allow.
Name your references carefully. Give references only people who agree to be contacted, and tell them in advance.
Do not borrow if the permissions feel excessive. You can compare other recorded lenders before you decide. Our loan app comparison for safer borrowing shows options side by side.
Pay on time. Collection activity begins when payments are missed. If you may be late, contact the company first. See the Pesoloan overdue payment penalty page.

If Your Contacts Were Messaged

Collect evidence. Ask your contacts to screenshot the messages, including the number, date and content.
Write to the lender. Email support@pesoloan.ph, say that the contact was not a named guarantor, and ask it to stop.
Report to the SEC. Contacting persons in your contact list other than guarantors or co-makers is an unfair collection practice.
Report to the NPC. Use the guidelines on privacy.gov.ph for filing a complaint about misuse of personal data.
Ask for your data to be handled lawfully. Under the Data Privacy Act you can ask what data is held and request correction or deletion in certain cases. See how to delete a Pesoloan account for the steps.

If your contacts were also posted about publicly, read does Pesoloan post on Facebook. For credit-related questions, see whether Pesoloan reports to the CIC. Our guide to debt collection rules and your rights summarizes the whole framework.

Next Steps

If you are worried about field collection as well, read does Pesoloan home visit borrowers. To compare other lenders' permissions and terms, use our main page.

FAQs

Does Pesoloan call my contacts?

Some borrowers have alleged that it did, but we cannot confirm this and found no regulator finding. The developer's data declaration says no data is shared with third parties. SEC rules prohibit contacting people in your list other than your named guarantors or co-makers.

Can I use the app without giving contact access?

That depends on what the app requires. Read the permission prompt and the privacy policy, and deny access that is not needed if the app allows it.

Is it legal for a lender to message my contacts?

Not if they are not your named guarantors or co-makers. SEC rules say this is an unfair collection practice even if you gave consent.

Where do I complain?

Report unfair collection to the SEC and data privacy violations to the National Privacy Commission. Keep screenshots and dates.

Sources We Checked

Pesoloan Editorial Team. We research online lending in the Philippines and check company and registration details against public SEC records before publishing. Our articles separate documented facts from user reports and list their sources. Learn more on our author page and in our editorial policy.