How can I defend myself against unauthorized debits on my bank account?
May 14, 2022 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Alwin Reuter
Dear lawyer specializing in banking law,
I am reaching out to you with an urgent question regarding unauthorized withdrawals from my bank account. Over the past few weeks, I have noticed that regular amounts of money have been debited from my account without my authorization. This has greatly concerned and unsettled me, as I do not know how to defend myself against it.
The unauthorized withdrawals amount to several hundred euros in total, and I have already contacted my bank to try to resolve the situation. However, the staff have not been able to provide me with a satisfactory answer so far, claiming that they cannot take any action as the withdrawals are supposedly legitimate. This makes me even more worried, as I fear being a victim of fraud or misuse of my account details.
I am certain that I did not authorize the withdrawals and would like to know how I can legally defend myself against these unauthorized debits. Are there any ways to reclaim my money and catch the unknown perpetrators? What steps should I take next to protect my bank account and financial security?
I thank you in advance for your support and expertise in this matter.
Sincerely,
David Lange
Dear David Lange,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding unauthorized deductions from your bank account. It is understandable that you are concerned and unsettled by the fact that money has been regularly deducted from your account without your authorization. In such cases, it is important to act quickly and protect your rights.
First of all, it is good that you have already contacted your bank to clarify the situation. However, it is regrettable that the staff have not been able to provide you with a satisfactory answer so far. In such cases, it is important to remain persistent and insist that your complaint is taken seriously. As consumers, you have certain rights that can help you address unauthorized deductions.
In Germany, consumers are protected by the Payment Services Act and the Civil Code (BGB). If you identify unauthorized deductions, you should immediately inform your bank and request a refund of the amounts. The bank is obligated to reimburse unauthorized deductions within eight weeks unless they can prove that the deductions were lawful.
If the bank refuses to refund your money, you can contact the Conciliation Board of the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) or the Consumer Protection Agency. These institutions can help you reach an out-of-court settlement with your bank.
Furthermore, you should report the incident to the police if you suspect that you are a victim of fraud or abuse. The police can conduct investigations and help you identify and hold accountable the unknown perpetrators.
To protect your financial security, I recommend that you regularly review your bank statements, change your PIN codes and passwords regularly, and avoid disclosing sensitive data such as account and credit card numbers indiscriminately.
I hope this information helps you address unauthorized deductions and protect your financial security. If you have any further questions or need legal assistance, I am happy to help.
Best regards,
Alwin Reuter
Attorney at Law
