I’m being harassed by a loan shark/collecting agent! What do I do?

If the behaviour is violent or potentially a threat to you or your employer, report the loan shark/collecting agent to the Hong Kong Police (999).

Remember to keep calm and do not let insults or threats put you down.

Contact us immediately for a free confidential one-to-one financial counselling session to receive impartial financial advice. Our counsellors speak English, Tagalog or Bahasa Indonesia. We do not lend money. We only provide neutral advice. You do not have to deal with this on your own. Seek help as soon as possible.

If you feel comfortable, and if your employer is open to it, you could have an open conversation with your employer about your financial plans and difficulties, including your goals, debts or worries. It may be difficult for you to open up to your employer about your financial difficulties but doing so now can prevent a bigger issue from occurring if the loan shark/collecting agent contacts them. If the agent contacts your employer first, they might understandably be scared and misunderstand the situation. Be open and honest with your employer. Assure them that you are seeking a solution so that you can continue to focus on your work and not be distracted by stress. This might help clear any misunderstanding and also help them feel more comfortable in communicating with you about this issue.