Russian banks received new powers.

From 26 September, comes into force the law “On amendments to certain legislative acts of the Russian Federation in part of combating the theft of funds”, which expands the mechanisms available to the banks for the freezing of a transaction recognized as suspicious, writes finanz.ru.

According to the law, credit organisations will be required to block access to online systems, to block payment cards and electronic transfers from client accounts up to two business days, if the Bank suspects that the transaction made without the consent of the account holder.

At the same time the Bank will be required to contact by phone or electronic channels of communication with the client and report suspicious transactions.

If the customer contact is not successful, the account is frozen for two days and during this time the customer can cancel the payment . At the expiration of the specified period, the account automatically rasplachivaetsya and the money goes to the specified details.

Although the law is already in force, a list of the signs of operations that may be potentially fraudulent, is still in the development stage.

As previously explained in the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, in the category of doubtful transactions subject to transfer funds from the account of a legal entity in many accounts of individuals in other regions, as well as operations with “non-standard” purpose of payment and not peculiar to a particular client’s financial behavior.

For example, it may be a custom purchase from card the pensioner or withdrawing large sums of cash. Banks will also need to implement blocking mechanisms of such operations and to amend existing contracts with customers.

The banks have the right to act at its own discretion. “Given the fact that the list of major signs the transfer of funds without the consent of the payer is not universal, the bill provides the right of credit institutions depending on their activities to install additional signs of the Commission of the transfer of funds without the consent of the payer”, – stated in the explanatory note to the bill.

As a result of blocking accounts and cards for individuals will become more frequent, said to RIA Novosti, the financial Ombudsman Pavel Medvedev. “This is a very vague law that heavily depend on the contractor, – he explained. – The law stipulates that the Bank should ask the client. But will he try to again?”

Strictly speaking, required in the law at all. In Russia the law “About national payment system”, which was to ensure citizens the safety of their funds if they quickly respond to unauthorized charges, reminiscent of Medvedev.

His point is that if a client sees that he withdrew money from the card and have time during the day to inform your Bank, the Bank must refund the customer his money, and then try to figure out who is to blame.

“But this almost never happens,” says the Ombudsman.