The Central Bank of Uzbekistan has officially banned credit institutions from withholding social payments from citizens ' bank cards to repay loans without their prior consent. The corresponding order was sent to financial institutions after an increase in the number of requests from the population dissatisfied with the practice of automatic debiting funds intended for vulnerable categories.
Complaints related to cases when banks debited benefits received on cards without notice — including payments to low-income families, persons with disabilities, and citizens who temporarily lost their ability to work. These funds belong to the category of targeted state support and cannot be used for purposes other than those provided for in social programs.
The regulator reminded that the Constitution of Uzbekistan (Article 57) stipulates the state's duty to protect the rights of the elderly, disabled citizens, disabled people and other people in need. In turn, article 21 of the Law" On Consumer Protection " prohibits the inclusion in contracts of conditions that infringe on the established benefits and social guarantees.
The Central Bank assessed the actions of individual banks as unfair and inconsistent with the principles of social responsibility. Special attention is paid to the inadmissibility of debits in the acceptance mode — when the deduction is made automatically, without the client's will.
Financial institutions are required to make adjustments to the software, eliminating the possibility of such practices. An obligation has also been introduced: upon receipt of a complaint from the client, deductions must be immediately terminated, and illegally debited funds must be returned to the recipient's account as soon as possible.
This step on the part of the regulator demonstrates the desire to strengthen social justice in the banking sector, and also emphasizes the priority of citizens ' interests over the operational interests of creditors.
