Warning for scammers offering fake credit: watch out for these websites | Consumer

“Consumers come into contact with the providers in various ways: they are contacted unsolicited via e-mail or social media (Facebook, WhatsApp,…) or they find advertisements on the internet,” says the FSMA.

–

As soon as the consumers pay the costs, the ‘lender’ disappears with the northern sun and it is virtually impossible to recover the amounts deposited.

–

“In practice, it concerns false credits that are offered to extort money from consumers. Consumers who accept such an offer are asked to first pay a number of costs associated with the credit. However, these are purely fictitious costs. As soon as the consumers pay these so-called costs, the ‘lender’ disappears with the northern sun and it is almost impossible to recover the amounts deposited.”

–

The FSMA therefore strongly advises against responding to this type of credit offer and makes some general recommendations on its website to identify these fraudulent credit offers, such as checking whether the provider has the necessary authorization or registration via the search function on the website of the FSMA.

–

It is also advised to be careful when “especially favorable credit” is offered, for example at a very low interest rate or with an exceptionally long repayment period.

–

The FSMA specifically warns against 36 unlicensed lenders listed below. When in doubt, consumers can also contact directly with the FSMA, the public institution emphasizes.

–

The FMSA warns of these 36 unlicensed lenders: