OJK Conveys Concerns About Many Young People Using Illegal Loans

Chief Executive of the Behavior Supervisory of Financial, Education and Protection Business Actors of the Financial Services Authority (OJK), Friderica Widyasari Dewi. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Financial Services Authority (OJK) expressed its concerns about young people or people from the age group of the range of 26-35 years who still use illegal online loans (pinjol).

Based on complaint data related to illegal loans received by the Illegal Financial Activity Eradication Task Force (Satgas PASTI) in 2024, there were 6,348 complaints originating from people aged 26-35 years.

"This is quite worrying because at the age of this period we already use illegal loans," said OJK Chief Executive of the Behavior Supervisory of Financial Services, Education and Consumer Protection Business Actors (PEPK) Friderica Widyasari Dewi in Jakarta, quoted by Antara, Friday, January 17.

In addition, Friderica or familiarly called Kiki added that the rise of online gambling (judol) also needs to be watched out for because it is very damaging to the order of life, especially if it is at the level of addiction.

Judol ini sangat mudah dibuat dan bisa terdekat kepada anak-anak muda melalui aplikasi seperti game online dan sarana aktivitas dunia digital lainnya, kata dia.

One of the challenges for young people, said Kiki, is being vulnerable to the phenomenon of FOMO (fear of missing out), FOPO (fear of other people's opinions), and YOLO (you only live once) which can affect financial decision making to be less wise.

Young people are vulnerable to being entangled in digital financial crimes without sufficient financial knowledge. Kiki said, this is a background as to why joint efforts from the government and related stakeholders are needed to increase financial literacy massively and thoroughly.

According to him, the easiest fort is to get to know and always remember the term 2L, namely illegal' and logical'. Another thing, the public can contact OJK consumer services via telephone number 157 or WhatsApp messages through number 081-157157157. In addition, the public can check the website or OJK social media and the DEFINITE Task Force.

For a brighter family future, let's young people start good habits in managing finances, including forcing themselves to set aside our income to save/invest. And the most important thing is to be able to distinguish between the wishes and needs," said Kiki.

Through the Financial National Smart Movement (GHARKAN) program, OJK has made the youth/student/student segment into the priority segment.

OJK also continues to strengthen and increase educational efforts to the public through various available media channels, as well as through collaboration with stakeholders and all members of the PASTI Task Force.