16.10.2026 09:10
Those who let others use their bank account, mobile banking password, or IBAN can unknowingly become part of a large crime chain. According to the new guide prepared by MASAK, even simple money transfer requests from friends or relatives carry serious risks. If the use of a rented account is detected, mobile banking access may be closed, card transactions may be stopped, and the relationship with the bank may be terminated.
The Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) of the Ministry of Treasury and Finance has prepared the "Guide on Suspicious Transaction Reporting for Combating Rental Accounts" to prevent financial accounts from being used in crimes such as fraud, illegal betting, and gambling. The guide discusses in detail the risks account holders may face and the measures banks and other financial institutions should take.
YOUR FRIEND'S OR RELATIVE'S REQUEST CAN GET YOU INTO TROUBLE
According to MASAK's guide, allowing another person to use your bank account can make the account holder, without realizing it, a link in a chain through which criminal proceeds are transferred.
In particular, requests from friends, relatives, and business circles such as "Let money come into your account, and you send it to me" or "I will use your card for a short time" can pose a risk.
In addition to letting accounts be used in exchange for a fee or commission, handing them over to third parties without any financial consideration also carries similar dangers.
IT IS NOT LIMITED TO JUST SHARING AN IBAN
The use of rental accounts does not cover only transactions carried out through a bank account or IBAN. Giving mobile banking passwords, bank cards, card passwords, and one-time verification codes to others can also cause control of the account to pass to third parties.
In addition to bank accounts, payment and electronic money accounts, commercial accounts, POS and virtual POS connections, and accounts with crypto asset service providers are also considered within this scope.
MOBILE AND INTERNET BANKING MAY BE CLOSED
The guide also includes measures that may be applied if it is determined that an account is being used by third parties or if strong indications of this emerge.
In this case, closing or restricting mobile and internet banking channels that enable remote use of the account may be considered among priority measures.
Depending on the nature of the incident, bank card, POS, and virtual POS services may be stopped, transaction limits may be lowered, and the issue of not providing new financial products to the customer may arise.
BANKS WILL CLOSELY MONITOR SUSPICIOUS TRANSACTIONS
MASAK stated that banks and other financial institutions, when evaluating suspicious account activity, should compare the customer's profession, income level, economic activities, and transaction volume.
It is important to investigate the source of the money coming into the account, the purpose of the transfers, and the relationship between the customer and the persons with whom intensive transactions are carried out.
When deemed necessary, direct contact may be made with the account holder to investigate whether they are aware of the transactions and who actually uses the account.
THE BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE BANK MAY BE TERMINATED
If suspicious transactions continue, the account holder's explanations remain insufficient, or it is understood that the account is managed by third parties, financial institutions may evaluate measures such as not carrying out transactions and, when necessary, terminating the business relationship with the customer.
The guide also emphasized that knowingly and willingly continuing transactions in account networks to which funds known to originate from crime are transferred may lead to legal proceedings.
However, it was stated that the mere presence of suspicious transaction indicators or a violation of administrative obligations does not by itself constitute criminal liability. When assessing criminal liability, the nature of the act and the knowledge and intent of the relevant persons must be considered together.