Scammers took out a loan in your name: step-by-step guide on how to protect yourself and dispute someone else's debt

Credit fraud remains one of the most common schemes of asset theft in 2026. Fraudsters, having gained access to the victim's personal data, take out loans in banks and microfinance organizations, after which the victim learns about the "alien" debt only when collection agencies start calling or when an unfamiliar record is discovered during a credit history check. According to the National Bank of Ukraine and Cyber Police, the number of such appeals is steadily growing, and victims often lose precious time not knowing where to start. We figure out how to recognize a fraudulent credit, what steps to take in the first hours after discovery, and where to turn if the financial institution ignores your claims.

How scammers operate: main schemes

The Cyber Police identifies several key mechanisms through which criminals issue loans in someone else's name. The most dangerous of them is associated with illegally gaining control over the victim's mobile number: by switching the SIM card or intercepting access to it, scammers intercept confirmation codes, log into online banking, and perform financial transactions on behalf of the owner. The National Bank of Ukraine has also recorded cases where loans were issued based on stolen personal information and restored financial numbers, and the received funds were transferred to third-party accounts in the shortest possible time. According to lawyers, the second widespread scheme is social engineering: the victim is deceived or pressured into independently confirming the transaction by entering a code from an SMS. In both cases, the speed of the victim's reaction is critical.

First step: checking credit history and monitoring via Diia

If you received a demand to repay a loan you did not take, or simply want to ensure the cleanliness of your credit reputation, start by requesting a report from the credit bureau. In the document, you need to check the names of creditors, loan execution dates, debt amounts, and, most importantly, inquiries from financial institutions you have never applied to. A credit history inquiry in itself does not mean that a loan has already been issued, but its presence is an alarming signal: scammers may have just started the procedure. As explained at the UBKI, if a suspicious inquiry is detected, you should immediately contact the relevant institution via the official phone number — timely notification can stop the loan issuance before funds are transferred. In addition, through the Diia application, you can receive automatic notifications about credit history checks and the appearance of new loans if the relevant data comes from connected credit bureaus. This allows detecting fraudulent activity at the earliest stage.

Contacting the creditor and fixing evidence

If an unfamiliar loan has already appeared in the report, you need to find the official contacts of the lending institution and send a written application. The document should clearly state that you did not issue this loan and did not enter into a corresponding agreement, and demand an internal investigation. At the same time, request a copy of the agreement from the creditor, information on how personal identification was carried out, and information on the transfer of funds. Keep a copy of the appeal and confirmation of its receipt — these documents will be useful at all subsequent stages. Lawyers emphasize: it is strictly forbidden to make even a single payment under a disputed agreement. Any transfer of money can be regarded by the bank as recognition of the debt, and it will be much more difficult to challenge it later.

Statement to the police and disputing the record in UBKI

In parallel with contacting the creditor, you should report the fraud to law enforcement agencies. You can do this by contacting the nearest branch of the National Police or calling 102, as well as through the official form on the Cyber Police website. In the application, it is important to describe when you learned about the loan, which institution issued it, for what amount, and why you consider the execution illegal. Attach copies of messages from the creditor, screenshots, statements, and other materials that can help establish the circumstances of the case. Be sure to keep confirmation of submitting the application; if the information is entered into the Unified Register of Pre-trial Investigations, obtain the appropriate extract. If someone else's loan has already been reflected in your credit history, submit an appeal to UBKI regarding inaccurate information: the bureau will send a request to the creditor for verification, and upon confirmation of the fact of fraud, the record will be corrected. At the same time, disputing the record in the bureau does not mean the automatic cancellation of the loan agreement itself — a separate court process may be required for this.

Escalation: complaint to the National Bank of Ukraine

If the financial company ignores your appeals or continues to demand the return of funds for a loan you did not take, the next step is a complaint to the National Bank of Ukraine. The NBU considers consumer appeals regarding the actions of banks and non-bank financial institutions. In the complaint, you must indicate the name of the creditor, describe the situation in detail, and attach copies of all applications and responses you have already received. The regulator is empowered to conduct an inspection and, if necessary, apply enforcement measures to the violator. Experts remind: the faster the victim fixes all circumstances and contacts the competent authorities, the higher the chances not only to dispute someone else's debt, but also to bring the scammers to justice.