Exposed! Here's How Loan Apps Track Customers Who Try to Escape by Changing Numbers, Deleting the App & Moving to Another City

RUBLIK DEPOK - Behind the convenience of online money loans, there is a dark side that is now being revealed more and more: the ways in which online loan companies (pinjol) track customers who try to escape their debt obligations. Not a few debtors have tried to flee by various means, such as changing phone numbers, deleting applications, or even moving to another city. However, it turns out that all of this is not enough to completely escape the attention of the pinjol company.

Tracking Begins from the App: Access to Contacts and Location Becomes Key

When first applying for a loan, users are usually asked to grant various permissions to the app. This starts from access to contact lists, GPS location, to device data. This is considered a normal step to process the application, but this is where the tracking process begins.

With this access, the company can store and analyze various important information. For example, the contact list is used as a backup communication path if the customer can no longer be contacted. Meanwhile, location data can show where the user was last located, even if the application has been deleted from the phone.

Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Mapping Customer Trails

The technology used by online lending companies is now much more advanced compared to a few years ago. They rely on big data and artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze patterns of customer behavior and movements. Every digital activity of the user—from logging in, changing IP addresses, to digital transactions—can leave traces that can be tracked.

AI mampu mengenali pola kaburnya nasabah berdasarkan perilaku: seperti tidak aktif membuka aplikasi, menonaktifkan notifikasi, atau tidak lagi menggunakan nomor ponsel yang terdaftar. Dari sinilah sistem akan mulai mencocokkan data baru yang ditemukan di jaringan untuk melacak keberadaan terkini nasabah.

Digital Footprint on Social Media Becomes Indisputable Evidence

Social media has become another important data source often utilized for tracking. Even if accounts are made private, user interactions, photo uploads, and comments can be used as clues to location or activity.

For example, when a debtor uploads a photo at a tourist spot, checks in at a restaurant, or interacts with a friend's account—the debt collection team can use this as evidence of their most recent whereabouts. Even, the company can trace other names used by the user on social media to match the identity and location.

Work Together with Professional Debt Collection Team and Third-Party Services

Online lending companies do not operate alone. They have a debt collection team that is professionally trained to conduct light investigations on defaulting borrowers. In addition, they can also collaborate with third parties that provide digital data tracking services.

In certain cases, online lending companies hire address tracking services based on transaction data, such as the last known location of a public Wi-Fi network, online reservations, or the use of other applications connected to the same phone number or email.

Prevention Steps: Increasingly Strict Data Verification System

To prevent the risk of customers fleeing, the verification system for online loans is now stricter. It is not enough to simply upload an ID card and a selfie; some applications even request biometric verification, direct checking of the ID number against the Dukcapil database, and taking a real-time facial video with motion detection to ensure the authenticity of the identity.

There are also fintech lenders that match users' financial data with transaction history from digital wallets or bank accounts, allowing them to estimate whether the user is eligible for a loan or potentially likely to default in the future.

Collections Must Adhere to Ethics, But Many Violate

Although digital loan companies have very advanced tracking capabilities, they are still required to comply with collection regulations. Collections must be conducted politely, without pressure, threats, violence, or harassment. Unfortunately, violations of these rules are still commonly found in practice.

Some customers claim to have received repeated phone threats, messages sent to their contacts, and even threats that encroach on their privacy. This clearly violates regulations set by financial authorities and can be reported by customers to be legally prosecuted.

Solution: Financial Education and Legal Awareness

The phenomenon of borrowers trying to evade from online lenders reveals a deeper issue: the lack of financial literacy and legal understanding in society. Many people are lured by the ease of borrowing without considering their ability to pay and legal risks.

Therefore, broader financial education is needed so that the public understands the consequences of each loan. On the other hand, online lending companies must also be ethically and legally responsible in running their business.

Conclusion

Escaping from online loans is now no easy feat. With a combination of technology, digital data, and field investigations, online loan companies can track down borrowers even in remote areas. However, such steps must remain within legal boundaries and respect the rights of borrowers.

Customers should not choose the shortcut of fleeing from their debts, but try to resolve their responsibilities openly and fairly. Meanwhile, regulations should also be continuously strengthened to prevent the abuse of data power by online lending companies.