As the digital financial landscape evolves, AdaKami, an online peer-to-peer lending platform, has encountered a slew of challenges during the first quarter of 2024, notably the surge in illegal online loans, or Pinjol ilegal.
Jonathan Kriss, Brand Manager of PT Pembiayaan Digital Indonesia (AdaKami), shed light on the various ploys employed by unscrupulous individuals to unlawfully exploit unsuspecting individuals. These tactics range from impersonating AdaKami and falsely claiming that AdaKami’s team has issued duplicate funds to creating counterfeit social media accounts posing as AdaKami’s customer service representatives, specifically targeting users experiencing payment difficulties. Perpetrators also resort to data abuse, hacking user accounts through the delivery of suspicious OTP codes or links, and enticing users with tempting prizes, among other deceptive practices.
Jonathan stressed that all these actions constitute fraudulent activities identified by AdaKami. “It is imperative for us to collectively remain vigilant by enhancing financial and digital literacy,” he emphasized during a Media Gathering and Halal Bihalal event at Habitate Jakarta on Monday, April 29, 2024.
He outlined several measures to help the public guard against such scams. Firstly, ensuring that users exclusively communicate or seek information through verified official channels such as websites, emails, telephone numbers, and social media accounts.
Officially, AdaKami operates a hotline with the number 1500-77 or email tanya@adakami-cs.id. Jonathan reaffirmed that AdaKami does not utilize numbers commencing with ’08.’
Secondly, users must exercise prudence and discernment in sharing personal data, even with family or close contacts, refraining from uploading it on social media platforms or disclosing it to dubious entities.
Thirdly, exercising caution with entities offering enticing rewards under suspicious circumstances. For instance, users may be required to make a prior purchase or even be coerced into borrowing to acquire items beyond their financial means.
Fourthly, ensuring that users have thoroughly reviewed and understood all relevant terms and conditions and have a viable plan in place to fulfill their contractual obligations. Jonathan emphasized the importance of users ensuring that loan allocations are directed towards justifiable needs. “Understanding priorities and their fulfillment, as well as the profile and risks associated with the financial instruments we intend to utilize, is crucial for making informed decisions,” he concluded.
