The Bank fraud in Spain have increased considerably and alarmingly in recent years. A situation that has affected thousands of citizens who have seen their savings disappear from their respective accounts in a matter of seconds. In this situation, the most logical, although not the most correct, thing to do is to have the instinct to go to the police. report fraud. However, it is not the most appropriate way to recover lost money. Since Escalante & Pérez Lawyers We tell you why and how a lawyer specializing in bank fraud may be the best alternative.
Bank fraud in Spain: Going to the police doesn't guarantee you'll get your money back.
When you are victim of bank fraud The most common thing is to go to the National Police to file a complaint, but it is not the best alternative, since the process has multiple limitations that might not help you recover lost money:
- Research is slowAlthough the Police have a specialized Central Technological Investigation Brigade, which, in turn, belongs to the Technological Investigation Unit, responsible for investigating and prosecuting cybercrimes at the national and international levels, it is important to note that financial crimes, which include banking fraud in Spain, are often complex and require investigations that can take from a few months to several years.
- Difficulty in identifying criminalsMany bank frauds in Spain are often committed by international criminal networks operating from abroad, which undoubtedly makes it difficult to identify and arrest those responsible.
- Lack of money-back guaranteesEven if the National Police were able to identify those responsible for the bank fraud, this does not mean the lost money will be recovered because the funds are often transferred between offshore accounts and even in cryptocurrencies, which are very difficult to trace.
- Long and costly legal proceedingsIf the complaint is successful and the bank fraud case goes to trial, the process is long, expensive, and, as mentioned above, there is no guarantee of success or reimbursement of lost funds.
The role of a bank fraud lawyer
If you have been a victim of bank fraud, the best alternative is go to an expert lawyer in the matter to help you get your money backAnd when should you contact a lawyer? It's best to do so as soon as possible, because the sooner you get started, the greater the chances of recovering your funds. A professional in the field can advise you, in a comprehensive manner, depending on your case and the circumstances. In addition, a specialized lawyer uses multiple legal strategies which include:
Direct claims to the financial institution
Many banks have security protocols aimed at preventing banking fraud in Spain, but, in some cases, the entities themselves may be responsible If they have not acted correctly and with the diligence due. In this sense, a lawyer expert in bank fraud can file a claim formal for the financial institution to proceed with the refund of the money.
Negotiation with the bank
To avoid demands by customers and that put the entity's reputation at risk, banks are sometimes willing to reach agreements with the affected party. Specifically, a lawyer who is an expert in the field can help you negotiate effectively to increase the chances of success.
Take legal action against those responsible
In case of having clues that indicate who could be responsible for the fraud, the lawyer can initiate legal action (civil or criminal) against the alleged culprit to recover the funds.
Submit appeals through administrative channels
Not in all cases are banks willing to return the funds, so an expert lawyer can resort to instances such as the Bank of Spain or before the National Securities Market Commission, with the aim of claiming the entity's responsibility.
How to prevent bank fraud in Spain?
You already know that, if you are a victim of bank fraud, the best thing is not reporting to the police, but rather, immediately consult a lawyer who is an expert in the matter. The assistance of a lawyer is essential if you are a victim of bank fraud, but it is also important to know some measures to help you prevent This type of crimes:
- Protection of personal dataA good alternative is to avoid sharing sensitive information such as passwords, one-time verification codes, or bank details with third parties, especially strangers. Keep in mind that financial institutions never ask for this information by email or phone.
- Check the links and senders. Before clicking on a link in an email or SMS, verify that the sender is trustworthy, that is, from a legitimate source. Today, most common cyber scams They start with fraudulent messages that, at first glance, appear official.
- Two-step authenticationActivate two-step verification on your bank accounts and the digital platforms you use to add security. It's also recommended to activate additional security protocols on your mobile devices and online banking.
- Control your bank transactionsIt's a good idea to periodically review your account statements to detect suspicious transactions. If you don't recognize a transaction, contact your bank immediately.
- Be wary of offers that are too goodNowadays, many cyber scams begin with very attractive offers, such as promises of high returns after investing a significant amount of capital or unexpected prizes. If it seems too good to be true, it's most likely a scam.
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