CONDUSEF ALERT! JUNTOS FINANCIERA Identity Impersonated to Fraud with Fake Loans; SPEI Operating Normally

CONDUSEF maintains an active alert regarding the identity theft of SOFOM JUNTOS FINANCIERA, used by scammers to offer fraudulent loans requesting advance payments. Meanwhile, Banxico's SPEI system is operating normally, vital for online banking.

Financial transaction security and fraud protection are constantly on the agenda. This Friday, May 9, 2025, the National Commission for the Protection and Defense of Financial Services Users (CONDUSEF) reiterates an important alert regarding identity theft by JUNTOS FINANCIERA, SAPI DE CV, SOFOM, and ENR, a type of scam that affects those seeking credit options.

Fraud Alert: JUNTOS FINANCIERA Impersonation According to CONDUSEF, unauthorized individuals are contacting people, posing as representatives of JUNTOS FINANCIERA, to offer them loans.

These scammers' modus operandi includes requesting an advance payment under the pretext of covering the costs of the study and the approval of the supposed loan. JUNTOS FINANCIERA, SAPI DE CV, SOFOM, and ENR have formally denounced these fraud attempts, noting that they have been detected with particular incidence in the Zamora area of ​​Michoacán, a town where the financial institution does not have branches or offer services directly.

This situation demonstrates the sophistication of fraudsters, who use the names of duly registered institutions to deceive the public.

CONDUSEF has issued a series of crucial recommendations to avoid falling for this type of scam: * Never make advance payments for items such as fees, insurance, paperwork, or credit checks before receiving the loan.

* Always verify that the financial institution is duly registered in the Financial Service Providers Registration System (SIPRES) of CONDUSEF.

* Do not provide personal documents or sensitive credit or debit card data through unsecured channels or to unknown persons.

* Avoid carrying out financial transactions or sharing information through social networks such as Facebook or WhatsApp.

* Read all documents carefully and completely before signing them. This persistence of identity theft fraud involving Multiple Purpose Financial Companies (SOFOMES) highlights a vulnerability in the non-bank lending sector.

Scammers exploit some people's urgent need for financing and, sometimes, their lack of familiarity with formal processes and alerts issued by authorities.

Banxico's SPEI System: Operation and Transparency In contrast to these fraud alerts, the Interbank Electronic Payment System (SPEI), managed by the Bank of Mexico (Banxico), is operating normally and remains a fundamental tool for online banking and electronic transfers in the country.

Banxico offers users the Electronic Payment Receipt (CEP) tool, which allows them to verify the details of transactions made through SPEI, ensuring that the funds have been sent and received correctly.

The SPEI system operates 24/7 for mobile banking transactions, while online banking has defined hours on business days. It is important for users to know the different statuses of an SPEI payment (such as "in process," "settled," "cancelled," or "returned") to properly track their transactions.

Fortunately, no massive outages were reported in the SPEI system during the early hours of May 9th. The Financial Contrast: Innovation vs. Risk The coexistence of a robust and monitored payment system like SPEI, and the proliferation of frauds that exploit the identity of financial institutions, paints a picture of contrasts in the Mexican financial sector.

As formal infrastructure advances in efficiency and security, malicious actors seek out the weakest links in the system or take advantage of users' lack of knowledge.

This underscores the critical importance of advancing cybersecurity and financial education in parallel with technological innovation. The digital transformation of the financial sector is undeniably beneficial, but it also opens up new avenues for fraud if users are not properly informed and if regulation and supervision of all actors, including SOFOMES (Spanish Social Security Administrations) and emerging fintech companies, is not sufficiently flexible and strict.

Navigating the World of Fintech and Cryptocurrencies The fintech sector continues to expand, offering innovative services in lending, payments, and financing.

CONDUSEF also provides guidance on Financial Technology Institutions (FTIs), explaining their operations (crowdfunding, electronic payment funds) and, crucially, warning about the risks associated with cryptocurrencies: they are not legal tender, are not backed by the government or Banxico, and their value is highly volatile.

Have you received a suspicious credit offer? Report it to CONDUSEF and share your experience to alert others.