You've probably heard the story: someone gets a call "from the bank," is asked for an SMS code, and an hour later discovers a loan of $3,000 has been taken out in their name. Since 2025, we've had a government kill switch designed to cut such stories off at the start — a self-ban on credit. But it doesn't work like a magic wand: sometimes it saves you, sometimes it glitches. Let's figure out how to use it and what to do if the money still ends up with fraudsters.
What the self-ban is and why it doesn't protect against all fraudsters
The self-ban is an entry in your credit history that tells all banks and microfinance organizations: "Don't issue new loans or credits to this person." Technically, it looks like a mark in a credit bureau (CB). When you apply, the bank is obliged to check your credit history, see the ban there, and refuse.
But there's a nuance that's often forgotten. The self-ban does not protect against fraud with existing cards and accounts. If your card data is stolen and money is withdrawn, that's not a loan — it's theft. The self-ban has nothing to do with it. It also doesn't cancel already-issued loans and doesn't block microloans taken out before it was set up.
Imagine: you've set the ban, and a month later a fraudster calls and says: "Someone is trying to take out a loan in your name, let's set up protection." You give the SMS code, and he... takes out a loan in your name at a microfinance organization that doesn't check credit history? No, it does check. But some microfinance organizations may not see the ban due to a delay in data updates. This is the failure mode — the mechanism breaks when the information in the credit bureau hasn't updated yet.
How to set the self-ban through government services: step by step
The self-ban is free and takes about ten minutes. Go to the government services portal, find the "Self-ban on credits" service (it's in the "Security" section or via search). You'll be asked to choose which credit bureaus to make the entry in. By default — all of them. That's correct: if you choose only one, the bank may query another and not see the ban.
Next, the system will ask you to confirm your identity (usually via SMS). After that, you'll see a notification that the application has been accepted. The entry appears in your credit history not instantly, but within a few hours, sometimes up to a day. This is important: if a fraudster applies right after your application, the bank may not yet see the ban.
You can check that the self-ban is in place for free twice a year through the government services portal — order a credit report from each bureau. Or enable notifications from banks: many send a push notification when someone requests your credit history.
Which banks and microfinance organizations see the self-ban, and which may ignore it
By law, all banks and microfinance organizations that operate legally and report data to credit bureaus are obliged to check credit history before issuing a loan. So they will see the self-ban. But there are exceptions:
- Credit cooperatives and pawnshops — they are also obliged to check, but in practice may not query credit bureaus if the loan is small. The self-ban doesn't automatically apply to them unless they are connected to the system.
- Agricultural consumer credit cooperatives — similarly.
- Loans secured by property — for example, a car loan. Here the self-ban won't work because it's not a pure consumer credit.
Another point: if you're taking out a loan as a sole proprietor or self-employed person, the self-ban may not apply to such loans. It only protects an individual as a consumer.
What to do if the bank still issued the loan
The situation is unpleasant but solvable. The main thing is to act quickly and in order.
Step 1. Call the bank and write a refund application. Immediately after learning about the loan, call the bank's hotline. Say that the loan was taken out fraudulently and ask them to block the account and suspend transactions. Then write an official application to the bank: in two copies, give one with a signature, keep the other. In the application, state that you did not sign the contract, did not receive the money, and demand an investigation.
Step 2. File a report with the police. This is needed so you have proof that you're not the fraudster. The report is filed at the police station in your area or through the police website. Describe how you learned about the loan and attach copies of documents. The police will give you a notification slip — keep it.
Step 3. Dispute the debt with the credit bureau. Write to the credit bureau stating that the loan entry is invalid, attach the police slip and the bank application. The credit bureau is obliged to conduct a check and, if the bank does not confirm the debt, remove the entry.
Step 4. If the bank doesn't cooperate — complain. Contact the central bank through its online reception or the consumer protection authority. You can also file a lawsuit to have the contract declared invalid. But before going to court, it's better to wait for the bank's response to your claim — usually 30 days.
How to cancel the self-ban if it gets in the way
Sometimes the self-ban needs to be lifted: for example, you've decided to take out a mortgage. You can do this through the government services portal as well — select the "Cancel self-ban" service. The entry won't disappear immediately, but within a few hours. Important: if you cancel the self-ban and then change your mind, you can set it again at any time, but again with a delay.
There's also a paid option: some banks offer "expedited removal" for a fee, but this is not an official service — it's marketing. Don't fall for it.
Where an AI twin really saves time, and where you'll have to go yourself
When you're dealing with a fraudulent loan, a lot of time goes into paperwork. For example, you need to find in your email a contract with a bank that you didn't sign, or gather correspondence with support. The AI twin on asibiont.com can connect to your email and documents: it will find the necessary letters, extract amounts and dates from them, and check whether they match what the bank says. This doesn't replace a lawyer, but it saves hours of routine.
The AI can also calculate deadlines: for example, how many days have passed since the withdrawal so you don't miss the deadline for filing a claim. Or draft an application to the bank based on your data — you'll just need to check and sign it. But filing a police report or taking documents to a government office will have to be done in person — AI has no right to certify papers and cannot represent you before government bodies.
If you've already written an application to the bank, the AI can monitor the response: set a reminder, check your email for a letter from the bank, and notify you when the response arrives. But calling the bank and arguing with an operator — that's only for you to do.
Why the self-ban may not work even with correct setup
There are several scenarios where the mechanism fails. First, a delay in updating data in the credit bureau. If a fraudster applies on the same day you set the ban, the bank may not have time to see the entry. Second, an error in your credit history: if your profile has incorrect passport data, the ban may apply to the wrong person. Third, fraudsters may use your electronic signature if you have one. The self-ban doesn't block loans taken out with an electronic signature if a fraudster has gained access to it.
To notice a problem in advance, enable notifications about credit history requests. Many banks offer this service for free in their mobile app. If someone requests your history and you haven't applied, call the bank immediately.
What's more important: the self-ban or vigilance
The self-ban is a useful thing, but it doesn't cancel basic security rules. Never give out SMS codes, don't click links in suspicious emails, and don't install apps at the request of "bank employees." If you've encountered fraud, don't waste time blaming yourself — act according to the steps described above.
You can start small: go to the government services portal and set the self-ban right now. And if you need help with paperwork — try the AI twin on asibiont.com: it will help you analyze the contract, find the necessary letters, and not miss the bank's response deadline.