Digital Financial Literacy for Online Lending Safety and Fraud Prevention

Leny Marlina, Indah Yani, Fitria Romadlona, Sudiyanti Sudiyanti, Kahar Kahar

Abstract


The rapid development of digital financial services has increased the risk of illegal online lending and digital fraud, particularly among communities with limited digital financial literacy. In Sengkotek Village, Loa Janan Ilir District, Samarinda, insufficient understanding of digital financial products, online lending risks, and personal data protection has created vulnerability to financial exploitation. This community engagement program aimed to enhance digital financial literacy, strengthen awareness of online lending risks, and promote safer behavior in using digital financial services. The novelty of this program lies in the integration of a community based Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach, contextual financial literacy education, fraud identification simulations, and accessible learning media developed based on local community needs. The program involved 120 participants and was implemented through three stages, namely needs assessment, structured training intervention, and evaluation using pretest and posttest surveys, complemented by interviews and participatory discussions. The results showed an improvement in participants’ digital financial literacy, with the average score increasing from 47% before intervention to 64% after the program. Participants also demonstrated increased awareness regarding illegal online lending risks, personal data protection, and responsible use of digital financial services. These findings indicate that contextual and participatory digital financial literacy programs can effectively strengthen community financial resilience and preventive awareness against digital financial fraud. This program contributes to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 through inclusive financial education, SDG 8 through improved household financial resilience, and SDG 16 through increased awareness of responsible and legitimate digital financial systems.


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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.33474/penadimas.v4i2.29622

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