Can a bank recovery agent harass me for loan repayment?

No, recovery agents cannot harass, threaten, or intimidate you. The RBI has strict guidelines on how recovery must be conducted, and harassment is both a violation of those guidelines and potentially a criminal offence. You have the right to be treated with dignity even as a defaulter.

Key points

• Recovery agents must follow the RBI's Fair Practices Code and Recovery Agent guidelines.
• Agents cannot call at odd hours — contact is generally restricted to reasonable daytime hours.
• Threats, abuse, public shaming, or intimidation are strictly prohibited.
• Agents must carry proper authorisation from the bank.
• Harassment can attract criminal liability for intimidation.

Relevant law

The RBI Guidelines on Recovery Agents and the Fair Practices Code regulate recovery conduct. Harassment or threats may attract Section 351 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 (criminal intimidation). Persistent harassment may also be actionable as a civil wrong.

What you can do

• Keep a record of calls, messages, and any threats, including dates and times.
• Complain in writing to the bank's Grievance Redressal Officer about the harassment.
• Escalate to the RBI Integrated Ombudsman if the bank does not act.
• File a police complaint in Kanpur and consult a banking advocate if threats continue.