In recent times, loan apps that call your contacts have gained popularity in Nigeria as a quick and accessible way to obtain loans using mobile devices. While these apps offer convenience, it’s crucial to understand the potential drawbacks. This article sheds light on 25 such apps to be cautious of and provides insights into why they request access to your contacts, how they use this information, and steps to protect your privacy.
Table of Contents:
- List of 25 Loan Apps to Avoid
- How Loan Apps Access Your Contacts
- Reasons Behind Contact Access
- Why Loan Apps Call Your Contacts
- How to Prevent Contact Access
- Stopping Loan Apps from Messaging Contacts
- Conclusion: Navigating Loan Apps Safely
List of 25 Loan Apps to Avoid:
Nigeria’s lending market has seen a rise in loan apps that call your contacts. Here’s a list of 25 such apps that you should stay away from:
- LCredit
- Xcredit
- PalmCredit
- Nkash
- ForNaira
- GoCash
- Cashrain
- KashKash
- 9credit
- ICoin
- Sokoloan
- LionCash
- CashLion
- Okash
- EasyCredit
- Oxloan
- Ease Cash
- Speedy Choice
- FastMoney
- GetCash
- 9ja Cash
- Softpay
- Rapid Naira
- Monicredit
- Ucredit
How Loan Apps Access Your Contacts:
Upon installing certain loan apps, you may be prompted to allow or deny access to your contact list. Granting access means lending companies could access all your contacts. It’s important to carefully review the app’s privacy policy and terms of service before permitting contact access.
Reasons Behind Contact Access:
Loan apps request contact access for several reasons:
- Identity Verification: Accessing contacts helps verify user identity and the accuracy of provided contact information.
- Connecting with Lenders: Some apps may connect users to other lenders, requiring contact access to identify potential lenders.
- Credit Assessment: Contact information might be used to assess creditworthiness and determine qualified loan amounts.
Why Loan Apps Call Your Contacts:
Loan apps call your contacts for various purposes, including:
- Identity Verification: Calls help confirm the authenticity of user identity.
- Loan Violations: Apps may contact your contacts to report loan term violations.
- Promotion: They might promote their services to your friends and family.
- Guarantor Requirement: Some apps may call contacts to request guarantors for loans.
Preventing Loan Apps from Calling Your Contacts:
To prevent contact access and unwanted calls, follow these steps:
- Deny Access: In your device settings, navigate to the app, click on permissions, and deny access to contacts.
- Uninstall: If you no longer wish to use the app, uninstall it from your device.
- Block Numbers: Block unwanted numbers through your phone settings.
- Report to Authorities: Report unauthorized calls to the authorities.
Stopping Loan Apps from Messaging Contacts:
To halt messages from loan apps to your contacts:
- Revoke Access: In your device settings, navigate to the app and revoke contact access.
- Uninstall: Remove the app if you no longer need it.
- Block Numbers: Block messaging numbers in your phone settings.
- Report: Report unauthorized messaging to relevant authorities.
- Check Permissions: Adjust permission settings to restrict messaging access.
Conclusion:
While loan apps offering contact access can provide quick financial solutions, potential risks should not be ignored. Before using any loan app, thoroughly research its terms and conditions, and understand how they handle your data. Prioritize your privacy and make informed decisions to navigate loan apps safely in Nigeria’s lending landscape.