Fraud

You have extra protection when purchasing something using your card

If you have been scammed but purchased goods with your card, you have extra protection through the Norwegian Financial Contracts Act § 2-7. Particularly valuable is the law’s regulation that the creditor (mainly the bank) has the same responsibility as the trader.

This gives extra protection in cases where

• you do not receive the goods you have ordered
• the service you have ordered is not delivered
• an event is cancelled
• a trip is cancelled
• the trader does not respect your right of withdrawal
• the trader has gone out of business
• you have been scammed

Read more about making a claim to your bank on our page about chargeback.

What do I do if I receive a bill for an item I did not order?

You are not obligated to pay for items you did not order. However, inform the trader that you do not intend to pay should you receive a payment claim.

Inform the trader in writing that there is no purchase agreement / contract. It is the responsibility of the trader to prove that an agreement exists. This may be difficult if the agreement was entered via the phone. The trader might, for instance, send a completed agreement where it states that you must get in touch within two weeks, if you do not want to be bound by the agreement.

The contact information provided is often a telephone number or an email that is not in use and you therefore do not have the opportunity to terminate the agreement. This is not a legal way for the trader to enter into an agreement and you will of course not be bound by such an agreement.

If the trader sends a claim to a collection agency, it is equally important that you get in touch with the agency to contest the claim. Debt collection agencies should not deal with debts once they become disputed.

How do I get out of an “agreement” concerning a business directory?

Business directories are first and foremost directed at the business industry. When you are contacted, it will look like you must confirm your new (company) address. By confirming your address, you activate a “subscription” to advertise your company or association at a very high price.

However, we recommend that you contact the company in writing (by e-mail or letter) if you receive invoices for entries into business directories that you have not requested. Report that you have not agreed to pay for the entry in question and that the claim is unfounded. Do not pay the invoice.

If you are contacted by a debt collection agency in connection to a claim from the company, contact the debt collection agency and inform them that the claim is disputed. The debt collection agency is not allowed to collect the claim.

What do I do if I win in an unknown competition?

In lottery scams you will often be notified that you have won a large price, but to receive it you will have to transfer a sum of money.

The National Authority for Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Environmental Crime (Økokrim) warns against responding to such requests via mail and email.

Some companies also follow up on their mail/email by calling you. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Do not give out any personal information and do not reply to the request.

Should the debt collection company not stop the case despite this, you can send a complaint to The Norwegian Financial Services Complaints Board (Finansklagenemnda).