The National Institute for the Defense of Competition and the Protection of Intellectual Property (Indecopi) has applied 1,284 sanctions to banks and financial institutions for unrecognized operations between January 2021 to July 2023. This suggests an average of approximately 2 complaints per day.
In detail, 765 (59.6%) of the penalties are associated with credit cards, and 448 (34.9%) with savings accounts. The fines, as a whole, amounted to S/9 million 595,080 (1938.4 UIT). At the national level, Lima had more than half of the demands (54.3%), followed by Cusco (8.2%), Junín (7.9%), La Libertad (7.2%) and Cajamarca (6 ,3%).
According to Jaime Delgado, consumer defense expert and former president of the Peruvian Association of Consumers and Users (Aspec), the high rate of reported complaints is due to three factors: the growth in the country and in the world of banking, the progress of crime specialized in violating the security systems of banks and, third, that the security of financial institutions is not keeping pace with cybercrime strategies.
In this line, it indicates that the majority of banks do not have the due attention for the victims of these robberies. “The banks are opting for the simplest, they put all the blame and responsibility on the client. But the user has nothing to do with it, because the criminals are violating the bank’s security systems. This situation is generating a feeling of distrust among people. If the banks continue with this type of attitude, there could be a setback in the banking processes”Delgado warned La República.
It should be noted that the sector that receives the largest number of complaints is the financial system, according to information provided by Indecopi to La República. Thus, from January 2022 to June of this year, 3,330 claims have been registered through the Consumer Protection Commission No. 1.
How to file a complaint with Indecopi?
He indecopi emphasizes that the responsibility of banks and financial companies is evaluated regarding operations, consumption, transfers, ATM withdrawals, over-the-counter operations and others, involving credit cards, debit cards or other financial products not recognized by their holders.
In case of being a victim of unrecognized operations, a claim must be filed in the claims book of the financial institution. The bank is obliged to respond within a maximum period of 15 business days.
In addition, it is possible to present one of these to Indecopi at its offices nationwide or through service channels such as:
- Virtual claim: https://bit.ly/3cYZYlj
- Telephone lines: (01) 224 7777 for Lima and 0 800 4 4040 for regions.
- Email: sacreclamo@indecopi.gob.pe for inquiries and complaints.
Indecopi recommendations to avoid cyber theft
- Avoid sharing your information: do not share card details or passwords with anyone, since financial institutions do not request this information in this way.
- Do not give your card to third parties: banks do not ask you to give your card to carry out operations.
- Protect your card and password: Prevent others from seeing your password when using ATMs or POS devices.
- Beware of phishing: cybercriminals attack by pretending to represent financial institutions to steal information.
- Report the loss or theft of your card: immediately contact the bank and request a block.
- Take care of your mobile applications: in case of loss of your cell phone, block the card and account associated with digital channels.
- Review your movements and account statements: be aware of undetected fraudulent operations.
Source: Larepublica
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