Banco de Portugal warns against individuals using its name to scam customers

Banco de Portugal warned this Friday that its name and image are being used by illegal entities to demand payments, defrauding the bank’s customers.

In a statement released this Friday, the banking regulator and supervisor said it has “become aware of situations in which citizens are being contacted by organizations that demand payment of amounts related to ‘duties of duty as ‘unpaid taxes'” using these organizations. documents with their name and picture to prove the existence of a debt and to force people to pay the requested amounts.

Banco de Portugal reminds that it does not provide commercial banking services to private clients or companies and therefore does not provide loans, accept deposits or charge fees for commercial services.

“Consequently, Banco de Portugal advises people not to come into contact with any promoters of these activities or transactions that abuse the Banco de Portugal name and logo. The bank is also advising people not to send money or provide banking or credit card information to anyone who claims to represent Banco de Portugal or claims to have a banking relationship with it,” the statement said.

The Bank of Portugal says that bank customers, before taking out a loan or paying any amount, should “thoroughly check the legitimacy of financial institutions” with a list of organizations that can carry out financial activities in Portugal.

Since these schemes explicitly use data from the Credit Responsibility Center, BdP reminds that only the data subject or authorized person can access this database, and not any legal entity.

Banco de Portugal also asks customers who receive questionable documentation to contact it at [email protected].