RBI rules: read the RBI guidelines on loan settlement and recovery
  • Already in force: lenders and recovery agents must not call you for overdue loans before 8 AM or after 7 PM
  • Credit report correction not done within 30 days of your complaint? You get ₹100 for each day of delay
  • Recovery agents must not threaten, humiliate or harass you, your relatives, friends or co-workers
  • From 1 Jan 2027, banks must also tell you the recovery agency’s details at least one day before its first visit
  • From 1 Jan 2027, banks must list their recovery agencies on their website
  • Lenders agree settlements under their own Board-approved policy; it is not an automatic right
  • After a compromise settlement, lenders wait at least 12 months before lending to you again (non-farm loans)
  • No reply from your bank in 30 days, or unhappy with it? You can complain to the RBI Ombudsman at cms.rbi.org.in
Borrower Rights

Recovery Agent Harassment: Know Your Rights

Recovery agent harassment is not allowed. Under RBI rules, agents may remind you to pay, but they must not threaten, abuse or shame you, or call before 8 AM or after 7 PM. If they do, keep evidence and complain to the lender, then to the RBI Ombudsman for free. Here is how.

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Signs of recovery agent harassment

  • Threats, abuse or rude language
  • Calls before 8 AM or after 7 PM
  • Non-stop calls or messages, or calls from unknown numbers
  • Calling your family, friends or office to shame you
  • Lying about your dues or what will happen if you do not pay
  • Visits meant to scare or embarrass you
  • Note: a lender may remind you to pay, politely and within these rules. Not every recovery call is against the rules

How to stop recovery agent harassment

  • Keep an evidence log: date, time, caller number, agency name and what was said. Save recordings and screenshots
  • Complain in writing to the lender first
  • If the lender does not reply in 30 days, or you are unhappy with the reply, complain free to the RBI Ombudsman at cms.rbi.org.in
  • For threats, go to the police. Threats can be criminal intimidation under Section 351 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. A lawyer of your choice can advise you
  • We will file your harassment complaint with the bank and with the RBI. Our legal desk responds within 48 hours to illegal recovery threats with a formal reply. We stand between you and unlawful recovery practices

Our service commitments

  • We will file your harassment complaint with the bank and with the RBI
  • Our legal desk responds within 48 hours to illegal recovery threats with a formal reply
  • We stand between you and unlawful recovery practices
  • We will walk you through cancelling an auto-debit, UPI AutoPay or NACH mandate, step by step
  • We will help you dispute unauthorised deductions from your account
  • We will help you when a recovery agent visits your home or workplace
  • You get a clear written plan for your case, with no hidden fees

Limits and risks

  • A complaint is about how the agent behaved. It does not cancel your debt.
  • What happens after a complaint depends on the lender, the Ombudsman or the police.
  • We cannot stop lawful recovery or legal action by a lender.

Sources used on this page

Common Questions

How to complain about recovery agent harassment?

Write to the lender first, with your evidence. If there is no reply in 30 days, or the reply does not help, file a free complaint with the RBI Ombudsman at cms.rbi.org.in or call 14448.

Is it legal for recovery agents to call me?

Yes, a lender can contact you about dues. But RBI rules say agents must not threaten, abuse or shame you, and must not call before 8 AM or after 7 PM.

Can recovery agents call my family or office?

RBI rules say agents must not harass or shame borrowers, including by calling family or colleagues to embarrass them. Keep a record and complain to the lender.

Can a recovery agent come to my house, and at what time?

A lender can send a representative or agent to meet you, but they must stay polite, not threaten you, and not shame you in front of others. RBI's rules in force now say recovery calls must not be made before 8:00 AM or after 7:00 PM. From 1 January 2027 the lender must also tell you about the agency at least a day before the first visit, and the agent must carry an identity card and authorisation letter.

Do I have to pay anyone to complain to the RBI Ombudsman?

No. RBI says there is no fee to file or resolve a complaint with the RBI Ombudsman, and you do not need any agent to do it. You can file it yourself at cms.rbi.org.in.

What if a loan app recovery agent harasses me?

Complain in writing to the app's lending partner (the bank or NBFC named in your loan papers), then to the RBI Ombudsman if needed. For threats, morphed photos or messages to your contacts, report to the police or at cybercrime.gov.in (helpline 1930).

Where do I complain if the lender does not help?

You can complain to the RBI Ombudsman at cms.rbi.org.in if the lender does not reply within 30 days, or if you are not happy with its reply.

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