How to Stay Safe from SpyLoan Android Apps That Use Your Data to Blackmail You

The Google Play Store is the safest place to download Android apps, but it’s not without its share of scams. There are a lot of shady apps on the service, and while Google does its best to remove them as they appear, it’s not possible to get rid of them all. A case in point is the “SpyLoan” app, which tricks users into promising low-interest loans but instead collects personal data and blackmails victims with it.

Malicious Android Lending Apps Are Collecting User Information

According to a report by McAfee, these malicious data-harvesting lending apps (dubbed “SpyLoan”) are spreading on the Google Play Store. They start with an attractive deal, offering victims loans with high approval rates, fast processing times, and low interest rates. The scammers will also mimic real financial institutions to make the app look professional.

Once you download the app, it starts collecting data. First, the app requests excessive permissions from your Android phone, such as access to the microphone, camera, call logs, SMS messages, and contacts.

How to Stay Safe from SpyLoan Android Apps That Use Your Data to Blackmail You
Ads for SpyLoan App

If you accept these terms, the app will offer you a very good loan with minimal repayment requirements. It will also add a countdown to the offer’s expiration date to make you panic and quickly apply so you don’t miss out on the offer. If you go through with the loan process, the app will ask you to provide a lot of personal information, such as your legal identification and your bank account information.

How to Stay Safe from SpyLoan Android Apps That Use Your Data to Blackmail You
Review for SpyLoan App

Once the scammers have lured you in with their initial offer, they will lend you less than you asked for and at a higher interest rate than advertised. Since the scammers now have your personal information, they can harass you to demand payment, even if the payment date hasn’t come yet.

Victims of this scam reported that the scammers threatened to kill or create AI-generated pornographic images using the victim's likeness and claimed that they would send the images to their acquaintances, if they did not pay.

How to Avoid SpyLoan Attacks

If you're worried about being attacked by SpyLoan, here are some ways to avoid it:

  • If a deal seems “too good to be true,” be wary, especially if there is a countdown timer attached.
  • Check out how to spot fake Android apps to identify scams before downloading.
  • If an app asks for permissions outside its scope, don't accept them.
  • Download an Android antivirus app . These apps can detect known scam apps and warn you before you install them.

If you keep these tips in mind, you will be able to spot SpyLoan apps before downloading them.

Sign up and earn $1000 a day ⋙

Leave a Comment

10 devices that can be plugged into the smartphone charging port

10 devices that can be plugged into the smartphone charging port

Most of us treat our smartphone's charging port as if its sole job is to keep the battery alive. But that little port is much more powerful than it gives it credit for.

Instructions for adjusting Android phone screen brightness

Instructions for adjusting Android phone screen brightness

Changing the brightness of your Android phone screen is a simple way to help you choose the screen brightness that suits your surroundings, avoiding the phone screen being too bright or too dark, affecting your health, especially your eyes.

How to easily read smartphone specifications

How to easily read smartphone specifications

If you're on the hunt for a new smartphone, the first thing you'll naturally look at is the specs sheet. It's packed with clues about performance, battery life, and display quality.

Why are Pixel phones worth the money?

Why are Pixel phones worth the money?

Years ago, some people decided to buy the first Pixel phone without thinking twice about whether it was worth the price. Time has proven that they are definitely worth every penny.

Are you using the full potential of the buttons on your Android phone?

Are you using the full potential of the buttons on your Android phone?

The buttons on your Android phone aren't just for adjusting the volume or waking up the screen. With a few simple tweaks, they can become shortcuts for taking a quick photo, skipping songs, launching apps, or even activating emergency features.

6 Hidden Files That Are Wasting a Lot of Space on Android

6 Hidden Files That Are Wasting a Lot of Space on Android

The biggest space hogs on your Android phone aren't always the things you can see. If your storage is filling up faster than usual, hidden files you never touch could be the culprit.

How to fix Android not connecting to Windows via ADB

How to fix Android not connecting to Windows via ADB

ADB not working or detecting your device on Windows? If Android can't connect via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), fixing this error requires just 3 basic steps.

How to check if Android device is rooted or not?

How to check if Android device is rooted or not?

Root Checker is an application that checks whether Android devices, from smartphones to tablets, have been rooted or not? Or whether the rooting process has been successful and worked effectively?

6 Smart Circle to Search Tricks You Should Remember

6 Smart Circle to Search Tricks You Should Remember

While you may already know and use Circle to Search for many things, let's explore some clever use cases.

How to use DroidCam to turn your phone into a webcam for your computer

How to use DroidCam to turn your phone into a webcam for your computer

The following article will guide you on how to use Droidcam on your computer and phone as well as some suggestions for having a perfect video call!

The OnePlus 13 has a great feature that more Android phones really need

The OnePlus 13 has a great feature that more Android phones really need

The phone that many people love right now is the OnePlus 13, because in addition to superior hardware, it also possesses a feature that has been around for decades: the infrared sensor (IR Blaster).

The Best Google Play Store Alternatives

The Best Google Play Store Alternatives

Google Play is convenient, safe, and works well for most people. But there's a whole world of alternative app stores out there—some that offer openness, some that prioritize privacy, and some that are just a fun change of pace.

How to fix black Android phone screen

How to fix black Android phone screen

Android black screen really makes users very uncomfortable. If you can not turn on the device, the screen is always black and unresponsive, maybe you should try some of the following solutions with Quantrimang.

How to change DNS on iPhone, Android phones

How to change DNS on iPhone, Android phones

Changing DNS on iPhone or changing DNS on Android will help you maintain a stable connection, increase network connection speed and access blocked websites.

Change These 6 Settings to Stop New Android Apps from Tracking You!

Change These 6 Settings to Stop New Android Apps from Tracking You!

If you haven't checked your privacy settings in a while, now is the time to prevent future tracking before it starts.

How to create poll in iPhone messages

How to create poll in iPhone messages

iPhone users can create polls in messages to ask for opinions from group chat members.

How to Restore the Classic Look of Your iPhone

How to Restore the Classic Look of Your iPhone

Apple has redesigned the Phone app in iOS 26 with a new Unified interface. If you don't like the new look of the Phone app, you can revert back to the old interface, following the instructions below.

10 devices that can be plugged into the smartphone charging port

10 devices that can be plugged into the smartphone charging port

Most of us treat our smartphone's charging port as if its sole job is to keep the battery alive. But that little port is much more powerful than it gives it credit for.

Instructions for adjusting Android phone screen brightness

Instructions for adjusting Android phone screen brightness

Changing the brightness of your Android phone screen is a simple way to help you choose the screen brightness that suits your surroundings, avoiding the phone screen being too bright or too dark, affecting your health, especially your eyes.

How to easily read smartphone specifications

How to easily read smartphone specifications

If you're on the hunt for a new smartphone, the first thing you'll naturally look at is the specs sheet. It's packed with clues about performance, battery life, and display quality.

How to insert emoji into photos on iPhone extremely simple

How to insert emoji into photos on iPhone extremely simple

To be able to insert emoji into photos on iPhone, we will need a few small tricks, according to the instructions below.

Which free VPN is best for iPhone and iPad?

Which free VPN is best for iPhone and iPad?

VPNs have a number of advantages, such as protecting your online identity and allowing you to access content in other countries. You may even experience faster connection speeds.

Why are Pixel phones worth the money?

Why are Pixel phones worth the money?

Years ago, some people decided to buy the first Pixel phone without thinking twice about whether it was worth the price. Time has proven that they are definitely worth every penny.

Are you using the full potential of the buttons on your Android phone?

Are you using the full potential of the buttons on your Android phone?

The buttons on your Android phone aren't just for adjusting the volume or waking up the screen. With a few simple tweaks, they can become shortcuts for taking a quick photo, skipping songs, launching apps, or even activating emergency features.

6 Hidden Files That Are Wasting a Lot of Space on Android

6 Hidden Files That Are Wasting a Lot of Space on Android

The biggest space hogs on your Android phone aren't always the things you can see. If your storage is filling up faster than usual, hidden files you never touch could be the culprit.

How to fix Android not connecting to Windows via ADB

How to fix Android not connecting to Windows via ADB

ADB not working or detecting your device on Windows? If Android can't connect via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), fixing this error requires just 3 basic steps.

Instructions for downloading Star Wars emoji for iPhone

Instructions for downloading Star Wars emoji for iPhone

There are many apps that help you add emoji to use on your iPhone, such as the Star Wars app. Users will have a lot of Star Wars-themed emoji to use for messages, or any content you want to use on your iPhone.

What is the orange and green dot in the corner of the iPhone screen?

What is the orange and green dot in the corner of the iPhone screen?

Starting with iOS 14, users will see a green or orange dot appear near the signal bar on the iPhone screen when opening certain applications. This is one of the new user privacy protection features added by Apple.

How to copy photos and videos from the Files app to the Photos library on iPhone, iPad

How to copy photos and videos from the Files app to the Photos library on iPhone, iPad

There is nothing complicated about how to do it.

How to check if Android device is rooted or not?

How to check if Android device is rooted or not?

Root Checker is an application that checks whether Android devices, from smartphones to tablets, have been rooted or not? Or whether the rooting process has been successful and worked effectively?