Amid the financial crisis that the COVID-19-induced lockdown has caused, borrowers are having to contend with loan recovery agents who have resorted to new ways of harassment. Loan companies are accessing phonebook data of their borrowers through mobile apps that they are made to download to apply for the loan. The recovery agents then not only abuse defaulters and their families, but also threaten to send personal pictures to all their contacts.

A few borrowers approached the police but could not get an FIR registered. Others chose not to go to police, fearing their phones would be confiscated.