Akbank has become a prime target for cyber fraudsters, leading to significant losses for many of its customers. The Ankara 13th Consumer Court has ruled against the bank, highlighting its negligence and setting a precedent for future cases. Attorney Faruk Emre Aki stated that the ruling will serve as a precedent for thousands of victims, emphasizing, “Nothing will be the same for banks anymore.”

Caught in the Web of Cyber Fraud

Akbank customer Hatice Sap discovered that an unauthorized loan of 100,000 TL was taken from her account, and an additional 49,437 TL was withdrawn from her overdraft account without her knowledge.

After realizing the fraud, Sap first contacted Akbank. However, when the bank refused to take responsibility, she pursued legal action through her attorney, filing a lawsuit with the Ankara Consumer Court, citing security vulnerabilities that led to her financial loss.

On June 13, 2024, the court temporarily suspended her repayment obligation, and on February 5, 2025, it ruled that she was not liable for these debts.

In its justified decision announced on February 14, the court emphasized that banks are obligated to protect their customers’ funds to the highest standard. The ruling stated, “Banks must take all necessary precautions at the maximum level against widespread fraud methods in online and telephone banking.”

Akbank Found Liable for Fraud

The court found Akbank responsible for the fraud, underlining that the affected customers suffered due to the bank’s failure to implement adequate security measures. The ruling stated:

• Akbank failed to activate fraud prevention mechanisms.
• The bank did not implement additional security steps, such as secondary verification through a security code or phone call confirmation.
• The bank was found to be fully at fault due to its security vulnerabilities and lack of due diligence.

“Nothing Will Be the Same Anymore”

Commenting on the ruling for Patronlar Dünyası, Attorney Emre Aki emphasized that this decision will set a precedent for thousands of victims, stating: “Nothing will be the same for banks anymore.”

He further explained:

“Under Turkish law, banks are liable for protecting customers’ accounts under ‘custodian responsibility.’ According to the Banking Law and Consumer Protection Law, banks are required to take the highest level of security measures to safeguard customer accounts. The decision of the Ankara 13th Consumer Court is based on this obligation. The court’s ruling that Akbank was ‘fully at fault’ will work against banks in future lawsuits. Banks must now implement additional security measures.”

Aki also pointed out that customers affected by similar fraud cases at Akbank or other banks can reference this ruling in their lawsuits.

“This decision establishes that as long as customers are not at fault, banks are liable for financial losses caused by fraud. Therefore, banks must compensate customers for stolen funds or unauthorized loans resulting from fraud. Customers will not be held responsible for fraudulent loans or drained accounts.”

Source: Patronlar Dünyası/ Prepared by: İlayda Gök