Customers were holding signs with phrases such as ‘we trusted our money to Eurobic/Abanca, we were robbed’ and ‘the money was ours, the blame is yours’.
They stated that the bank “washes its hands” by claiming that it followed procedures and that the clients authorized the transfers. They also received no response from the Bank of Portugal to their grievances.
The clients have filed complaints with the judiciary and are awaiting the case’s progress with the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
According to Elisabete Rebelo, owner of the company Rotunda Peças, during an online transfer from her business account, she noticed something unusual, contacted her branch, and was directed by an employee to speak with a bank official in Lisbon.
This official provided instructions on how to proceed, following which 85,000 euros were withdrawn from her business account.
“The bank washes its hands. If I accessed a fraudulent site, it was the bank’s guidance, and thus, their responsibility. I pay them to safeguard my money and personal data,” she stated.
Rebelo noted that she currently knows 15 clients affected at the same time (June/July this year), but has information suggesting there are hundreds of affected clients. She stated that the group will not stop here and is planning further demonstrations.
