When applying for a loan, consumers should pay attention not only to interest rates and loan conditions but also to whether the lender asks for personal or financial information unrelated to the loan. Taiwan's 165 Anti-Fraud Hotline reminds the public that legitimate loan providers will not ask applicants to hand over their SIM cards, online banking account passwords or SMS verification codes. Requests for such information should be treated as a warning sign.

Scammers may attract people in need of funds with claims of low requirements or fast loan approval, then ask them to provide SIM cards, online banking credentials or verification codes under the pretext of processing a loan, verifying their identity or reviewing their accounts. Once the information is handed over, scammers may gain access to financial accounts or related services.

SIM cards and online banking information are closely linked to financial security, while SMS verification codes may be used to complete account logins or transaction authentication. If such information is given to strangers, the account may be misused and could even be used as a fraudulent or money-laundering account, creating further legal and financial risks.

The 165 Anti-Fraud Hotline advises people to verify the identity and legitimacy of financial institutions or loan providers before applying. Do not skip basic verification procedures simply because money is urgently needed. Any loan offer that requires a SIM card, online banking username and password, or verification code should be treated with caution and the process should be stopped.

If there are doubts about loan information or the identity of the provider, call the 165 Anti-Fraud Hotline for verification before proceeding.