The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued Cease and Desist Orders (CDOs) against 250+ illegal lending companies in the Philippines. This page explains the categories of violations, how to check if a lender is blacklisted, and how to verify SEC registration before applying.
Apps operating without SEC registration, often found on social media and messaging apps.
Registered lenders that exceeded the BSP monthly interest rate cap of 6%.
Lenders that used illegal debt collection tactics including public shaming and threats.
Apps that accessed borrower contacts without consent for debt collection purposes.
Visit the official SEC website. Do not use third-party sites.
Find the company search tool in the main navigation.
Search the lender's registered business name — not the app name. They may differ.
Look for "Active" status and "Lending Company" as the company type.
Confirm the Certificate of Authority to Operate as a Lending Company is current.
Shortcut: Use our Legit Loan Apps list — we've already verified all apps against the SEC and BSP registries.