Cases of online fraud are not decreasing, but are growing exponentially. It is difficult to answer the question why there are more people wanting to earn through deception than candidates for classic options of honest income generation. But even when in a seemingly hopeless situation, there are ways to resolve financial conflicts.
Today, purchases in online markets, freelancer services, and investment offers involve transferring funds to third-party accounts, - such careless operations can result in a significant loss of capital.
However, an extrajudicial return of funds under such circumstances is possible. It is only important to know how this process works and to possess the action algorithm used in the step-by-step instructions. How to return money without court? There are effective methods to initiate the return process before contacting judicial authorities.
What is an extrajudicial money return
It is about a procedure during which the victim returns funds without taking the case to court, relying on the help of the bank, activation of certain processes of the payment system, or the voluntary consent of a third party - the seller, participating company, or another firm involved in the theft of funds. The most common method of extrajudicial settlement is the chargeback initiation, possible when paying with bank/debit cards.
Pre-trial settlement of money return in cases of fraudulent actions, for example, services that were not provided, can be implemented using a developed strict methodology of work. The action algorithm is usually standard, but may include some nuances depending on the situation.
Methods of extrajudicial settlement
It is worth familiarizing oneself with the principles of actions that help affected people return lost capital.
Several effective steps have been developed for the peaceful return of funds:
1. Gathering evidence. To increase your chances of a successful outcome of the return of funds, you should have as much information as possible confirming the fact of fraud.
Among the evidence may be:
- saved correspondence with the selling company or firm that provided services, using screenshots;
- receipts or bank statements as proof of payment;
- advertising photos that contradict the received product or unfulfilled promises of income;
- confirmation of the transaction, evidence of fulfilled conditions for income;
- photos of the product that do not match the description given at the time of purchase.
2. Contacting the issuing bank. If the financial transaction was made using a bank card, you must initially contact the issuing bank. Such practice exists, banks often strive to help their customers if the transactions are related to fraud. The main thing is to correctly specify the situation and express the desire to initiate a return of funds. A documentary base may be required to confirm the situation.
3. Filing a chargeback request. The chargeback procedure involves the reversal of transactions made by VISA and MasterCard payment systems. To initiate the return process, it is necessary to fill out a chargeback request and provide reasons for starting a financial dispute. Banking structures act as intermediaries that send the request to the international payment system, which in turn considers the possibility of a refund. The main thing in this process is not to miss the deadlines. A chargeback is possible if no more than 120 days have passed since the transaction.
4. Submitting a request to the payment system. When the transaction was not made by transferring funds to a card, but using electronic systems (PayPal, YandexMoney, QIWI), there is an opportunity to return the funds by contacting support. Some payment systems have their own refund program that will protect the capital in case of fraudulent actions by the seller or service provider. 5. Communication with the seller. In most cases, it is possible not to bring it to a conflict situation and to initiate a return of funds peacefully. You can try to contact the seller directly and start negotiations for the return of funds. Planning communication with representatives of the company providing services or goods should be serious so that the determination of actions is felt. When the conversation takes place in this way, the company often agrees to a voluntary return of funds. It is also worth notifying the intermediary of the possible consequences in case of refusal.
When all possible versions are thought through, applied, and still it is impossible to find a way to return the money without court, it is worth looking for the next ways to solve the problem.
When it is necessary to contact law enforcement agencies
When the amount of loss is quite large and there is no possibility of a peaceful return of funds, it is worth seeking help from law enforcement. To file a statement, not only documents may be needed but also evidence of payment transactions.
It will also not be out of place to provide information about the fraudsters, contact details, requisites, and legal information. Law enforcement agencies can launch an investigation and try to return the money legally.
Prevention: how to avoid fraud
To protect yourself from losing funds, you should adhere to certain rules:
- Use proven platforms with a positive reputation;
- Read reviews about companies and sellers before starting cooperation;
- Do not make payments directly to the card of an individual if there is no confidence in the reliability of the service;
- Ensure regular monitoring of transaction operations on the settlement account to be able to immediately respond to suspicious debits.
Extrajudicial return of funds in case of fraudulent actions and unauthorized debits is possible only if you promptly contact the appropriate services and provide as much evidence as possible. It is important not to delay the process of launching this procedure and to take the right steps in this direction.