Consumer protection entities have already reported fraud involving payroll-deductible credit for beneficiaries of Auxílio Brasil, a line approved by Congress, but which has not yet been released by the government. They also expect the repetition of a common practice in this market, the release of loans without guarantees from customers, a complaint that leads the rankings of complaints.
According to a survey by Senacon (National Secretariat for Consumer Protection), an agency linked to the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, from January 1st to June 30th of this year, 35,721 complaints were registered about payroll-deductible credit, payroll-deductible credit cards and monthly payroll-deductible income. for INSS beneficiaries through the consumer portal.
According to the data sent to Sheet, complaints about charges for uncontracted, unrecognized, or unsolicited service or product top the list, with 10,608 records. Subsequently, there are 8,418 complaints for non-delivery of the contract or documentation related to the service.
In Sindec (National Consumer Protection Information System), which includes 26 state Procons, the Federal District and more than 600 municipal ones, another 21,005 problems were recorded.
The measure approved by Congress, in addition to allowing the payroll loan for those who receive the Auxílio Brasil, defines that INSS (National Social Security Institute) beneficiaries will have the consignable margin increased from 40% to 45%, with 5% reserved exclusively for operations with payroll credit cards.
By the end of the first quarter of this year, the amount of income that could be committed had already increased from 35% to 40%. According to data from the Central Bank, in the period, there was a 130% increase in concessions, to R$ 13.4 billion in April.
“The growth was driven by this specific regulatory change for the INSS beneficiary, but all other types of personal credit also grew”, highlighted the head of the BC Statistics department, Fernando Rocha.
Ione Amorim, coordinator of the Financial Services Program at Idec (consumer protection institute), says that, when there was an increase in the assignable margin, hiring skyrocketed, with many concessions without consent, which was followed by an explosion of claims.
She assesses that the same should occur in relation to the aid and says that there are already reports of beneficiaries who have been victims of scams applied by people outside the banking system.
Consigned in BPC/LOAS
The month of March was also marked by the release of consigned credit to those who receive the BPC/Loas (Continued Benefit Benefit) — the elderly aged 65 and over or people with disabilities of any age in a situation of social misery.
When she learned of the government’s authorization for this category, Morgana Gomes decided to use the payroll loan to help with the medical expenses of her mother Eni, 74, who has dementia and depression and now lives in a nursing home in Porto Alegre.
The minimum wage received by the elderly woman is insufficient to cover monthly expenses of around R$ 2,000, including medication, medical consultations and the monthly fee for the clinic.
“At first, I took R$ 3,000 to pay a debt that was already accumulating on my credit card, with the purchase of diapers and medication. Now it’s better, I have a reserve for expenses with her”, said Morgana, who took advantage of the fee interest and requested a loan of R$ 17,000 on behalf of the mother to be paid in 72 installments of R$ 434.
The lower interest rate on payroll loans for retirees also played a role in the choice of Eduardo di Fonso, 77, when asking for a loan. In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, he saw the movement of the parking lots he owns in São Paulo fall and he contracted new debts.
“I must have half a dozen of them. They are all small, there is only one of R$ 700 reais that should finish in the next 16, 18 months”, he said. “They were all for me to cover the expenses I had with my staff, I couldn’t let them go by necessity,” he added.
Today, about R$1,200 is deducted from his retirement monthly. But, with the resumption of economic activity, it plans to pay off the debts in advance and sees no need to seek any more financial assistance, despite the increase in the margin.
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