Credit fraud is currently one of the most serious problems in criminal law, finance, and personal data protection. The rapid development of digital technologies, the widespread use of online services, and the ease of obtaining personal data all contribute to criminal activity. The scale of the phenomenon is growing year by year, and statistics indicate that the problem affects both individuals and businesses.
According to data from financial institutions, a record number of 3,400 loan fraud attempts totaling PLN 81.7 million were recorded in the third quarter of 2024. Law enforcement agencies confirm the growing nature of this practice – the police conduct approximately 2,000 cases of loan fraud each year (based solely on Article 297 of the Penal Code), and prosecutors' offices conduct approximately 3,000 such proceedings annually.
Pursuant to Article 297 of the Penal Code, whoever, in order to obtain for themselves or someone else, from a bank or organizational unit conducting similar business activities based on the Act or from an authority or institution disposing of public funds – a credit, cash loan, surety, guarantee, letter of credit, grant, subsidy, confirmation by a bank of an obligation arising from a surety or guarantee or similar monetary benefit for a specific business purpose, a payment instrument or a public procurement order, submits a counterfeit, altered document, attesting to an untruth or an unreliable document, or an unreliable written statement concerning circumstances of significant significance for obtaining the aforementioned financial support, payment instrument or procurement order, shall be subject to a penalty of imprisonment from 3 months to 5 years.
To obtain financial debt, criminals most often use other people's personal data, whether phished, stolen, or obtained online. We undoubtedly reveal too much about ourselves online. Date of birth, address, photos of documents, and phone numbers are sufficient data for a criminal to use to obtain a loan.
The rapid development of modern technologies, including artificial intelligence tools, increases the risk of credit fraud. Fake IDs, doctored contracts, and manipulated voice recordings (so-called deepfakes) are becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish from the original, making it easier for perpetrators to submit fraudulent credit applications or assume someone's identity to incur debt. This phenomenon is escalating not only due to the increasingly high quality of fake materials but also due to the automation of online registration and application processes. Furthermore, criminals can mass-generate and test fake profiles, bypassing traditional verification barriers.
Credit fraud is a systemic problem that is growing with the rise of digitalization. On the one hand, we have increasingly convenient online services, and on the other, increasingly sophisticated methods of criminals. Therefore, greater public awareness and daily caution in handling one's personal data are necessary.
Anyone can become a victim of fraud, regardless of age, education, or experience using new technologies. If fraud does occur, quick action is crucial, such as filing a complaint with the financial institution and reporting a suspected crime to the appropriate law enforcement authorities. Therefore, prevention and a quick response are crucial. Furthermore, regular credit history monitoring, caution when sharing data, and promptly responding to suspicious situations can significantly reduce the risk of serious consequences.
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