'Benefits affair' fraudster still haunts

In a new episode of In het Vizier van De Jager, victims of the benefits scandal say that they are still seen as fraudsters. Despite canceled debts and government commitments, they say a “check mark” remains behind their name - with banks, insurers and commercial data agencies. And that leads to major problems.

“I'm still known as a fraud,” says Paula Bouwer in the TV show. Years ago, she was wrongly accused of fraud with the childcare allowance. She has now been recognized as a victim, but nevertheless, her mortgage application was rejected.” There can really be no other reason than that they still see me as a fraud. I myself was a mortgage advisor for ten years, so I know exactly how it works.”

Negative BKR registration

Several victims recognize themselves in Paula's story. So does Sophia*: “We all still have a black check mark behind our name.” In this way, victims refer to a negative registration with banks or authorities, for example because they were once wrongly identified as a fraudster. As a result, applications are rejected more quickly.

Just last week, Sophia's credit card request was denied. According to the bank, she has a negative BKR registration, according to documents owned by Omroep Gelderland. Those affected by the benefits scandal must be removed immediately by creditors.

Between 2013 and 2019, the tax authorities arrested thousands of innocent people on suspicion of fraud with childcare allowance. Parents with children suddenly had to repay tens of thousands of euros. The government provided each victim with financial compensation, a debt approach, and any additional compensation.

Arthur Janssen, advisor at BKR Mortgage in Zutphen, advises people who have a BKR registration and want to take out a mortgage, including some victims of the benefits affair. “Unfortunately, it has not yet been resolved for all victims. Authorities must cooperate to get that registration off, and that slows down the whole process.”

However, even if a BKR registration has been deleted, someone can still be listed as a risk case with, for example, banks and other agencies that use their own fraud registers.

Even after a mistake, move on with a blank slate

“You shouldn't tick a fraudster to someone who has done nothing wrong,” says policy advisor Guido Terpstra of the College of Human Rights. “If that's what you're dealing with, please report it to us or go to a legal aid provider. And even if someone has made a mistake, you may go on with a blank slate at some point. It can't be that this is haunting you for very long.”

In principle, according to a spokesperson for the Ministry of Finance, it cannot be the case that there is another check mark after names. “We canceled debts.” It is extra difficult for the group of people who fled abroad. “Abroad, we try to understand that, but we can't force creditors there.”

“A lot of entrepreneurs went bankrupt because of the benefits affair, so you're on all kinds of lists,” says Karima Ouadid, entrepreneur and also a victim. “They do say you're off that list, but we're still running into it. Banks, insurances, phone subscriptions. I have a good job, I have excess value on my mortgage. But I can't increase my mortgage.”

* Sophia is a fictitious name. Her real name is known to the editors.

In the TV show In De Jager's crosshairs Inge de Jager is looking for people who are in trouble and do not feel heard. The broadcast on Tuesday, November 25, is about the forgotten victims of the benefits affair abroad. Do you want to share a tip or story with us? The editors of In De Jager's crosshairs would love to get in touch with you via inhetvizier@gld.nl

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