Bank of Italy warns of fake loan agreements on social media using its name and senior officials

The Bank of Italy issued a public warning about fake loan agreements being promoted on social networks as if they were issued by the central bank. It stressed that it is not involved in these activities and does not offer financing services to private individuals. The alert flags profiles on Facebook and Telegram that unlawfully use the Bank of Italy’s logo and the names of senior officials, with purported “loans” offered by fake credit brokers. Victims are asked to provide personal information and pay a fee for supposed “processing costs”; the Bank advises the public not to respond, not to share the messages further, and not to provide personal or banking data or documents, and to rely on the Bank of Italy’s official website for information. It also said queries can be submitted via its “Servizi Online” page and that it reserves the right to report the matter to the competent authorities.