08.02.2023

HOW TO PROTECT OURSELVES FROM SCAMS BY WITHDRAWING LOANS ONLINE ON OUR NAME?

Imagine that you go to the bank to take out a loan and are surprised to find out that you have a bad credit history, even though you have always been a good payer. Several loans have been taken out in your name, which are not being repaid and whose existence you did not suspect.

This is followed by a tour of all the financial institutions from which loans have been taken out in your name. If you are lucky, after a lot of arguments, headaches and lost time, you will be proven right and the fraudster will be discovered.

The anonymity that the Internet offers has given customers more convenience, but it has also opened up new horizons for fraudsters. The main problem with online lending is that the customer cannot be identified.

Take a look at the sites of a few random lending institutions - you will be impressed by the advertising of loans "only against ID", "express approval in one hour", etc. When the signing of the contract does not take place face-to-face, it is possible to become a victim of fraud with your personal data.

Verification is the mother of security

Everyone has the right to access their credit history in the Central Credit Register of the BNB. CCR is a data information system that contains information about where and what loans you have.

If you are worried or have doubts that someone has taken out a loan on your behalf, you can make an inquiry at the CCR. The reference can also be made electronically, but the person must possess a qualified certificate for an electronic signature containing the personal identification number of the individual.

The other way in which an inquiry can be made is on-site at the BNB, by submitting an application according to a template. You have the right to a free reference once a year, and additional checks are subject to a fee determined by the BNB. The report is received within 14 days. The application can also be submitted by mail, with the requirement that the applicant's signature be notarized.

How to protect yourself from fraud

Many people often handle their personal data without paying much attention to where and to whom they provide it. But you need to be on your guard so you don't have to pay back amounts you haven't used and end up in even more serious legal trouble.

Statistics show that in recent years, cases of this type of criminal arbitrariness have become more and more frequent, sometimes involving tens of thousands of BGN. Fraudsters may take out multiple small loans from different lending institutions.

Some people naively give out their online banking access code to strangers, believing it is needed to get a job, pay for a purchase, etc. After obtaining the desired data, the fraudsters use it to take credit from online and mobile lending companies and pay an identification fee from their victim's bank account. Once the loan amount is transferred, the fraudsters immediately withdraw it from the victim's account.

If a malicious person obtains even just your personal identification number, he could receive money in your name, and it is logical that the company would then look for the person behind the relevant data used. Therefore, do not share your personal data, even with acquaintances, if this is not imperative.

There are also many cases where fraudsters get hold of people's personal details, through electricity, water and telephone bills, as well as bank statements. Anyone could get hold of these confidential documents, which are often left in mailboxes.

Here's how to insure yourself to the max:

- never give your personal e-mail or social network account passwords to anyone;

- avoid using wireless internet in different places, such as cafes and restaurants;

- choose a password that is not easy to guess (letters, numbers and characters) on a regular basis (at least once every 3 months);

- use different passwords for social networks, email and online banking;

- keep written information about the account number and passwords for online banking and access codes in a place inaccessible to other people;

- order the bank's SMS service for notification of incoming/outgoing payments;

- protect your computer with a password and update your software regularly;

- never open suspicious emails from unknown senders;

- always verify the identity of the person or company to whom you allow access to your personal data;

- educate yourself and the people around you about personal data protection!

How to act if you find an irregularity

If you have been a victim of fraud, early detection is of the utmost importance. For example, when you start receiving personally addressed correspondence or calls related to the recovery of incurred debts.

In this case, you must first determine the reason for the collection, i.e. on what grounds the creditor's representative initiated collection actions. The most common reason is a loan agreement signed with a credit institution. In the event that you did not sign a contract, this situation can be assessed as fraud.

You should check whether your bank account has been operated illegally. For starters, it's a good idea to start by checking your account - looking at transactions and identifying any you haven't done. This data can be used as evidence in the investigation process.

If an error has occurred and you are registered without taking out a loan, you should immediately contact the credit institution. Ask the CCR for the history and inform the bank or company that registered you about the mistake made. If fraud has been committed, they will launch an investigation to track down the perpetrator.

If you discover that a loan has been illegally withdrawn in your name, you should contact the police and file a complaint immediately. Attach a bank statement showing the fraudulent transaction. When the police receive the fraud victim's complaint, they decide to initiate criminal proceedings, making sure that the transactions in question were not carried out by the victim.

Virtually any of us could become a victim of digital criminals who use stolen personal data to withdraw money on behalf of their victims. The most important thing is not to panic and start paying off debt that is not yours. If you make a contribution even once, you are "on the hook" and they won't let you go. File a rebuttal and seek your rights because the law is on your side.