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A scandal has erupted in Uzbekistan as many residents discovered that significant sums had been withdrawn from their bank cards without their consent. These funds were transferred to the account of a single organization registered in the country, sparking public outrage and panic. It turns out that this organization operates as a type of debt collector, withdrawing money from debtors. However, the legality of withdrawing funds from plastic cards without a court decision remains in question.
How Did It All Start?
The story first surfaced in the “Consumer.uz” community and quickly spread among users. One user shared her experience:
“Good evening. I’m reaching out for advice and looking for others in the same situation. Yesterday, a large amount of money was withdrawn from my mother’s Uzcard pension card without any notice, transferred to an organization we don’t know. We only discovered it today. While trying to figure things out, we learned that at least a hundred people are in the same situation. Some had money taken on Saturday. It’s not just pensioners—young people were affected too. In every case, the transfer was sent to the same company, though with different addresses. Some victims live in private sectors or even in other regions, so we initially ruled out the involvement of a management company. We don’t know what to do—we’re going to the police tomorrow.”
Panic and Confusion
Many people, upon noticing the missing funds, rushed to local police stations (ROVD) to file complaints. Investigations revealed that the money had not been taken by scammers but by a legal firm that collaborates with management companies to collect unpaid utility fees.
This discovery came as a shock to many. It turns out that if residents have unpaid utility bills, management companies can now withdraw money from their bank accounts without notifying the cardholder or explaining the reason for the withdrawal.
Depleted Accounts and Emotional Stress
The hardest hit were vulnerable groups, including pensioners and low-income families. Many had their accounts nearly emptied, causing significant emotional stress and panic as they struggled to understand what was happening and whom to turn to for help.
The issue is not just about the money being withdrawn—it’s about the complete lack of transparency. Cardholders were not notified about their debts, nor were they given any warning or court decisions.
Is a Court Order Required for Debt Collection?
This situation raises many questions. On what legal grounds can money be withdrawn from a person’s bank card without their consent? Shouldn’t a court order be required for such actions? Why were people not notified about their debts and given the opportunity to pay voluntarily?
Experts point out that withdrawing money without notice violates consumer rights and can be considered unlawful. Clear regulations and transparent debt collection mechanisms are necessary to prevent such situations in the future.
What Happens Next?
Many of the affected residents have already contacted law enforcement and are preparing collective complaints. Questions remain about how management companies and the legal firm gained access to citizens’ bank cards and on what legal basis the withdrawals were made without notice.
While the public awaits answers from the authorities, this case serves as a warning for everyone. It highlights the need for transparency in the actions of management companies and underscores the importance of protecting citizens’ rights.
The article may contain inaccuracies as it is translated by AI. For more details, please refer to the Russian version of the article. If you notice any inaccuracies, you can send corrections via the Telegram bot: Uzvaibik_bot.
