What to Do if Your Account is Frozen by the Cyber Cell
What to Do if Your Account is Frozen by the Cyber Cell
In this digital age, financial fraud, cybercrimes and scams are rampant. To counter such crimes, each cyber cell in the country has the powers to freeze bank accounts which they believe are carrying out illegal activity. If the cyber cell places a freeze on your account, this can be an agonizing situation; luckily, there are some steps you can take to address the matter.
Why accounts are froze
Usually an account freeze occurs with a cyber cell when the account has received suspicious transactions, the bank account was suspected of financial fraud, or the account was somehow involved in illegal online activity. The freeze prevents the movement of any funds associated with a cybercrime investigation, while also conducting the investigations. Most of time, the basis for a freeze stemmed from some form of reporting form a victim of a cybercrime.
What to do if your account is frozen
Call the bank
Your first step; call your bank and inquire why the cyber cell had placed a freeze on the account. Your bank might have details of the cyber cell that ordered the freeze, and thus gives you the path you can take to start solving this legitimate freeze in the bank.
Communicate with the cyber cell
When a cyber cell places a freeze on your account, you must communicate with this agency first. They will provide you with more details of what was ordered and what is required, along with leading you through what documents and evidence are required to remove the account freeze.
Respond with documentation
In most cases, it is required to prove that the account in question is related to illegal activities. You should be at a minimum prepared to provide accounts statements, transaction history of the accounts in question, or at a minimum ID proving you are the owner of the account. Again cooperation and the goal of an expedient resolution will be beneficial to you.
Contact a lawyer
If you believe your bank accounts were frozen during a malicious act and do not have a legitimate reason for the account freeze, hiring a lawyer may be valued. A lawyer will help you in filing pre-court proceedings, and communicate with the cyber cell.