Defrauded Bunq customers are not entitled to higher compensation, judge rules – RTL.nl

Court case

By RTL Z · 0 minutes ago · Edited: 0 minutes ago

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Several Bunq customers, who lost thousands of euros to internet scammers, can expect compensation. They themselves made the mistake, including by sharing data with the criminals, the judge ruled. They no longer have to count on compensation from Bunq.

A Bunq spokesperson confirmed this after reporting from the Financieele Dagblad (FD).

Many dozens of Bunq customers have fallen victim to scams since last year. For example, they clicked on a false link in a text message, or were supposedly called by a Bunq employee who pressured them to transfer money. RTL Nieuws previously spoke to victims who often lost tens of thousands of euros.

Bunq promised this summer to compensate all victims ‘generously’ with compensation of an average of 85 percent. According to a spokesperson for the bank, all cases are assessed individually and this may result in one victim receiving more than another. The company does not make any statements about numbers and amounts.

Victims go to court

Many customers have now agreed to Bunq’s proposals and this also led to various legal proceedings against the bank being withdrawn.

But not everyone was satisfied with Bunq’s offer. Some customers refused the limited compensation and went to court to demand more. However, individual rulings now show that the judge does not agree with this. Bunq’s security systems are in order, the court ruled. Moreover, the customers themselves have made significant mistakes.

For example, one of them had given criminals access to her computer and shared her login name and password. She was subsequently robbed of more than 40,000 euros. However, Bunq’s terms and conditions state that a customer may never share that data with third parties.

Most banks will, under certain conditions, compensate consumers for damages if they fall victim to fraud, but banks are not obliged to do so. The statements are therefore not surprising, says Joyce Donat, spokesperson for the Consumers’ Association. “The legal framework is lacking.”

The lack of laws also means that judges will assess each case of fraud individually. A ruling therefore does not have direct consequences for other victims or other banks.

No new offer

Because the compensation concerns a so-called leniency arrangement, the claimants do not have to count on a new offer from Bunq, says the company spokesperson. “They rejected our previous offer and then went to court,” he says. And with that they can whistle for their money, although according to Bunq an exception has been made in one ‘distressing case’.

Lawyer Chizki Loonstein of Aliter Melius, who previously assisted dozens of victims, hopes to be able to take action against the internet bank. According to him, the victims are not being compensated as generously as promised. “We want to know from Bunq why one person gets nothing and the other 50 or 70 percent.” He says that there are also victims who have received no compensation at all.

Bunq’s Court Case: A Comedy of Errors

Ah, nothing like a bit of courtroom drama to spice up your coffee break, eh? Buckle up, because we’re diving headfirst into the absurd tale of Bunq and their customers who seem to have taken “sharing is caring” a bit too far.

The Case of the Clueless Customers

So, several unfortunate souls who bank with Bunq found themselves out thousands of euros thanks to internet scammers. And here’s the kicker—the judge has shiny, honest-to-goodness news for them: you won’t be seeing a dime from Bunq! But, uh, how did we get here?

Imagine clicking a dodgy link because, let’s face it, the thrill of romance is dead; instead, you’re one click away from losing your hard-earned cash. How romantic! One victim gave scammers full access to her computer and casually dropped her login details while she was at it. She lost more than €40,000. Long story short: Bunq’s terms and conditions say sharing your secret stuff with strangers is a big no-no. Honestly, who needs enemies with this kind of “friendship”?

Bunq’s Generous Offer (Not Actually)

Now, Bunq did promise their victims “generous compensation” and plastered some mumble about 85% average payouts across the board. Anyone else smell *bullocks*? A Bunq spokesperson confirmed that compensation is assessed individually, so while one person gleans 70%, another might walk away empty-handed, and isn’t that just the icing on the cake? Bravo, Bunq, you’ve prouded us with your bureaucratic brilliance!

A Walk in the Courtroom

Some of these customers—let’s call them the “Hopeful Half-Humans”—decided to take matters into their own hands and strut their case into court. But what did they find? The judge was not impressed! Turns out, Bunq’s security systems are not a pile of rubbish after all, and the finger of blame was pointed squarely at the customers themselves. The judge basically said, “You broke it; you bought it!” Ouch, talk about a hurtful verdict!

Meanwhile, Joyce Donat from the Consumers’ Association chimed in with some enlightening remarks about the legal framework behind all of this. Spoiler alert: it’s lacking like a vegan at a steakhouse. Judges are examining each case with a fine-tooth comb, meaning that your misfortune isn’t anybody else’s business in a legal context. Not exactly the victorious rally we were hoping for, right?

The Final Curtain

Since a generous offer has been rejected by those who thought their case was more precious (as if!), Bunq’s spokesperson is now confidently popping champagne to celebrate their legal standings. As they say, “They went to court, and now they can whistle for it!” A catchy tune, indeed!

Lawyer Chizki Loonstein, who’s now on the case like a dog with a bone, is eager to know why some victims received zero while others got more substantial sums. One can practically hear the “Saddest Song in the World” playing softly in the background for those poorer souls clinging to the hope of getting anything back at all.

Wrap-Up

So, what do we learn from this dazzling debacle? Maybe just a warning label: “Do not share your secrets!” Or was it, “Don’t be stupid with your online behavior”? Either way, you can bet Bunq won’t be ruling the world of morale any time soon!

Ah, the world of banking and classic courtroom drama! You’ve got to hand it to them; they keep us entertained, even if it’s through the steam of our exasperated coffee.