Advance-fee loan scam: cómo funciona, señales y qué hacer

Banking fraud · médio

The victim sees an ad or gets a message offering fast credit, "no credit check", at low interest — sometimes using a known bank's name or posing as an agent.

After a simple sign-up, the "loan is approved" with a condition: first pay an insurance, registration, tax or "release" fee. Once paid, another fee appears.

In payroll-loan versions, scammers obtain data and documents to take real loans in the victim's name and keep the money, or offer a "refinancing" with cash back that never arrives.

Sinais / Signs

Any fee charged before the loan is released.
Promise of credit with no checks for people with bad credit.
Fee paid by Pix to an individual.
Contact only via WhatsApp, with no formal contract.
Lender doesn't appear as authorised by the Central Bank.

Prevenção / Prevention

Legitimate lenders deduct fees from the loan, not upfront.
Check on the Central Bank's site whether the lender is authorised.
Take loans through your bank's official channels.
Don't send ID photos and selfies to unknown intermediaries.
Block your benefit for payroll loans if you don't intend to borrow.

O que fazer / What to do

Don't pay any further "fees".
Call your bank right away using the official number (back of the card or in the app) and ask to block cards, accounts and access.
If you paid via Pix, ask your bank to open a MED (Special Return Mechanism) claim as soon as possible — time matters because funds move fast.
File a police report (many Brazilian states accept online reports) and keep screenshots, receipts, numbers and links.
If a company was involved (store, carrier, lender), file a complaint at Consumidor.gov.br and with Procon.

FAQ

Can a lender charge an upfront fee?

Charging upfront to release a loan is the classic scam sign. Refuse.

Someone took a payroll loan in my name. What should I do?

Dispute it with the lending bank, request cancellation and refund of instalments, file a police report and complain on Consumidor.gov.br.

Consumidor.gov.br · CERT.br — Cartilha de Segurança para Internet · FTC — ReportFraud