The Belgian banking watchdog has again put out a warning to consumers about fraudulent lenders offering fake credit online. The regulator has identified 18 new unlicensed lenders.
The Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA) is warning the public about the activities of unlicensed lenders offering fake credit to consumers. The scammers, who pretend to be licensed and even use the names or logos of well-known banks, offer credit to consumers via the internet. This is referred to as "cloned firm" fraud.
"The current economic situation leads consumers to look for extra budget in the form of credit and thus come into contact with these dubious players," the watchdog noted in a statement.
Victims are targeted through advertisements, but fraudsters also contact them unsolicited via e-mail or social media (Facebook, WhatsApp, etc.).
The loans look very attractive. "For example, the lender claims to lend large amounts at a low interest rate," the FSMA noted. They often also claim they will not check if the consumer is a defaulter and has taken out loans in the past that he could not repay.
However, the consumers must first pay several fees, such as an insurance premium, filing fees or administrative costs. "As soon as consumers pay these supposed costs, the 'lender' disappears and it is virtually impossible to recover the amounts paid." The FSMA strongly advises against taking up this type of credit offer.
The companies operating irregularly are:
- Beauliard Groupe (www.beauliard-groupe.com);
- BS Kredit (www.best-servicekredit.com);
- Cash Loan (www.cashlening.com);
- Finance Antalex (www.finance.antalex.net);
- Finaura (www.finaura-group.com);
- Kredit Inter (www.kredit-inter.com);
- Laverdiesten (www.laverdiesten.com);
- Loan Plus Credit (www.leningplus.com);
- LF Credit Fast Group (www.lfkredietsnelgroep.com);
- Neovixunion (www.neovixunion.com);
- Pirabk finance company (www.pirabk.com);
- Plus Finanzen (www.plusfinanzen.com);
- Pret Collaboratif (www.prtcorporatif.com);
- Quick Financing finance company (www.snelfinanciering.com);
- Snellening (www.snellening.be);
- Solidarity Service Financien (www.solidariteit-dienstfinancien.com);
- Swift Fundings (www.swiftfundings.com);
- Universe Credit (www.universumkredit.com).
