Online lending apps (OLAs) or online lending platforms (OLPs) gained popularity even before the COVID-19 pandemic struck the Philippines. These apps became even more widely used when Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services and culture became more common.
Most OLAs offer microloans usually below ₱5,000, although bigger loan limits can be unlocked by maintaining a good repayment history. OLAs typically do not require collateral and usually charge higher interest rates compared to traditional bank loans.
One reason OLAs are more accessible than banks is that they approve loans much faster and have simpler requirements to get started. Many apps only require one valid government ID to create an account. Some OLAs are even backed by banks, such as Atome by Asia United Bank (AUB), which also offers physical and virtual cards for purchases.
What is OLA Farming?
OLA farming is the practice where a person borrows money from as many online lending apps as possible without the intention of paying the loans back.
This usually involves using fake identities, fake IDs, and fake reference persons to avoid contact from OLA agents. In simple terms, people who do this are called OLA farmers. They often search for newly launched lending apps or small online lending websites that may have weaker verification systems.
A few weeks ago, I saw a sarcastic post from someone saying that no one ever gets arrested for having a huge unpaid loan on Shopee’s SPayLater service. The person claimed to have a large debt with SPayLater and seemed unconcerned about it.
That made me curious about how people with SPayLater debts actually deal with them and whether Shopee agents really visit borrowers at home.
While searching, I came across an anonymous post from a Facebook group called “OLA FARMING.” I was shocked at how someone could be so open about disappearing from these lending companies and still feel completely at peace.
Hello, I just want to share my experience with OLAs. As of now, I have 20+ unpaid OLAs. I started using OLA in 2020 with Tala. I wasn’t able to pay because of the pandemic. After six months they stopped contacting me, no more calls nor emails. Next I tried Juanhand on Novemeber 2023. Followed by Pesobuffet, Billease, Digido, Moneycat, etc. I planned to pay back the OLAs and allowed the app access to my contacts. But I put my reference persons as fake people since I didn’t want my friends/families to receive offers from loan products. Because of the high interest, I wasn’t able to pay them back. Before the due date, I deleted all my phone contacts and set my account to private on Facebook. I removed my SIM card to avoid stress and all my contacts did not receive any calls or messages. When I search my name online there aren’t any agents posting about me. So far, my life is peaceful. I’ll only play legit apps like Tala, Billease, etc. anything else that are illegal, I’ll farm. Fast forward after four months from due date, when I put back my SIM, there aren’t much calls or SMS texts. They’ve all gone quiet. There are a few on my emails but they’re always redirected to spam.
Illegal OLAs
Illegal online lending apps and lending websites do exist in the Philippines.
In late 2019, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) shut down 48 illegal OLAs. Some of these included Cash Whale, Cashfin, CashFlyer, CashMaya, Cashope, Cashwarm, Cashwow, and Peso2GO.
These illegal lenders often behave like loan sharks. They may use personal information such as phone numbers, email addresses, social media accounts, and home addresses to harass borrowers. In some cases, they may even sell this information or use it to threaten borrowers into paying.
In 2025, the SEC again shut down seven more online lending apps, including Cash Konek, Pesosuki, Peso Cow, Swiftloan, and others.
Why You Shouldn’t OLA Farm
OLA farming can lead to serious legal and personal consequences. These may include legal action, harassment, home visits from agents, and threats.
I probably can farm again. It’s been two years since I’ve last farmed. I wonder if the [OLA] agents missed me.
Some comments supported him while others criticized his actions.
One person commented:
Won’t you get a criminal record with the NBI?
The original poster replied confidently:
I just got a new NBI clearance this month with no records for my job promotion requirement.
Farming Legal and Compliant OLAs
Legal OLAs and BNPL services such as Shopee’s SPayLater often have agents who may visit your home if you fail to pay your debt.
They may also contact your reference persons or family members to follow up on the loan.
If you intentionally avoid paying legal OLAs, it can damage your credit score and financial reputation. Banks, e-wallets, and other lending services may reject your future loan applications or even block your access to certain services.
Using fake IDs or fake certificates of employment (COE) as proof of income is also a criminal offense. In the Philippines, this can lead to fines or up to six years of imprisonment. In more serious cases, borrowers may face estafa charges, which carry heavier penalties.
Farming Illegal OLAs
llegal OLAs usually charge extremely high interest rates compared to legitimate lenders.
Some also impose large processing fees. In some cases, borrowers may receive far less money than the amount they applied for.
You borrow ₱2,000 and receive ₱1,100. Farm this [platform] everyone!
Because of these unfair terms, some borrowers justify farming illegal OLAs as a form of revenge against predatory lenders.
But here’s the reality.
Farming illegal OLAs can be extremely dangerous.
These organizations are already operating outside the law. Some of them use illegal methods to collect debts, including harassment, intimidation, and threats. In extreme cases, borrowers may even receive death threats.
If you look at local news reports in the Philippines where people are suddenly shot in public for unknown reasons, targeted killings are sometimes linked to unpaid debts.
Even if you try to hide your identity, these organizations may still find ways to track you down.
Why Do People Do OLA Farming Anyway?
There are many reasons people engage in OLA farming, but the most obvious one is simple.
People think they are getting free money.
How the money is used varies widely. Some may use it for necessities, while others may spend it on travel, shopping, or even gambling.
Most OLAs allow borrowers to select a general category for the purpose of the loan, so the companies likely have internal data about how their loans are typically used.
How Do People OLA Farm?
The key thing OLA farmers do is anonymity and false information. Their common tactics can include:
- Using burner phones without contacts or files
- Using fake sim cards, emails, and reference people
- Using fake IDs with fake addresses when applying
- Restricting OLA access to files, contacts, and location
- Going private profile on Facebook and sometimes even changing profile names
However, there are still many loopholes.
OLAs may still obtain your location through your IP address, SIM provider, or the information used when registering your SIM card.
How to Break Free from Debt for OLA Victims
Avoid Informal OLA Victim Help Scammers
Some Facebook groups have individuals claiming they can help OLA victims delete their debts from lending apps.
Are you an OLA victim? Are you unable to pay your debt because of the high interest? Are you afraid of getting harassed?
Message me and I’ll help you
I can deleted your records on an OLA. You will see in the actual app that your loan has disappeared along with your records, name, ID, address, and history.
We’ll delete first before your pay to avoid scam.
Take note, for those who require payment first, it’s automatically a scam. We do service before payment so you know it’s legit.
These services are almost always scams.
Even if they temporarily remove the record, nothing prevents them from restoring it later.
Legit and Honest Way to Break Free From Debt
Getting out of debt is difficult, especially with OLAs that charge high interest rates. However, there are legitimate ways to recover.
Snowball Method: Prioritize paying off the smallest debts first before moving to larger ones. If you have multiple OLA loans, paying off the smallest balance first can help you gain momentum.
Use Your Savings: Avoid paying one debt by taking another loan. Borrowing from another lender only delays the problem and increases the total interest you owe.
Save Money: This may be obvious, but temporarily lowering your living expenses can help you free up money to pay down your debts faster.
Final Thoughts
As much as possible, avoid borrowing from illegal or informal lenders, whether they are online lending apps, websites, or traditional Filipino five-six lenders.
Debt can be a useful financial tool because it allows you to access money before your next salary or income. It can help during emergencies, delayed salaries, or temporary budget shortages.
However, it is always better to have savings or an emergency fund to cover life’s unexpected expenses.
Avoid taking loans with the mindset of:
“I’ll figure out how to pay it later.”
Always plan in advance how you will repay any loan you take.
What do you think about OLA farmers? Should there be stricter laws against illegal online lending apps and people who abuse these services? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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