RBI issues warning on ads offering loan waivers

Mumbai, Dec 11

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Monday issued a warning on misleading advertisements enticing borrowers by offering loan waivers.

There are reports of such entities charging a service/legal fee for issuing ‘debt waiver certificates’ without any authority.

These entities seem to be actively promoting many such campaigns in the print media as well as social media platforms, the RBI said.

Members of the public are cautioned not to fall prey to such false and misleading campaigns and report such incidents to law enforcement agencies, the central bank stated.

“It has also come to our notice that in certain locations, campaigns are being run by a few persons, which undermine the efforts of Banks in enforcing their rights over the securities charged to the Banks. Such entities are misrepresenting that dues to financial institutions including banks need not be repaid.

"Such activities undermine the stability of financial institutions and, above all, the interest of the depositors. It may also be noted that associating with such entities can result in direct financial losses," the RBI statement added.