Danger of Illegal Loans! OJK Educates Housewives in Papua

The rise of illegal investment offers and illegal online loans (Pinjol) is very disturbing for the community, including in Papua. Not a few people have submitted complaints regarding them being trapped in illegal investments or illegal online loans (loans).

Head of the Financial Services Authority of the Provinces of Papua and West Papua, Adolof Simajuntak said that the ease of access and low financial literacy among the public were the meeting point between opportunities and the momentum for the spread of cases of illegal investment and illegal online loans.

Because many people are tempted by offers of illegal investments and illegal online loans, even though they do not clearly know the benefits and risks that arise.

“Housewives are now easy targets for illegal online loans and illegal investments. They receive many loan offers but do not understand for sure the benefits and risks that will arise in the future," said Adolof Simanjuntak after socializing financial literacy to housewives in Keerom, Monday, January 31, 2022.

On the other hand, the demand for consumption by housewives is high so they are interested in accepting the online loan offers offered to them. Adolof continued, in order to minimize and prevent losses due to illegal online loans and illegal investments, OJK conducted financial education and socialization to housewives in Yamta Village, Keerom Regency.

"Thank you OJK for really helping us, the education is extraordinary, from us who don't know, we know a lot of things," said Yanti, one of the participants. Meanwhile, the Head of Yamta Village, La Dedy welcomed the presence of OJK and BPR Irian Sentosa to provide education to housewives in Yamta Village. La Dedy appreciates the attention of OJK and BPR Irian Sentosa to housewives who are currently getting offers of online loans and illegal investments.

"We hope that this education and socialization can provide understanding for housewives to be more careful in dealing with offers of illegal online loans and illegal investments to avoid potential losses in the future," he said.

In the same place, Head of Subdivision of Consumer Education and Protection, Harry Irfan, admitted that online loans also contribute to the economy through funding in the productive sector. As of October 2021, as much as IDR 69.39 trillion of funds were channeled to the productive sector or 53.63 percent of the total disbursement by online loans.

"But there are also illegal online loans. It is these illegal online loans that often disturb the public," said Harry. In fact, according to him, OJK together with other relevant stakeholders have closed as many as 426 illegal investment entities and 1,468 illegal online loan entities from 2020 to 2021.

"Before making an online loan or investment, make sure the legality of the company is registered and supervised by the OJK. In addition, consider the logic of the offer given," said Harry.

SOURCE: https://indonesiatimur.id/2022/02/01/danger-pinjol-illegal-ojk-edukasi-ibu-rumah-tangga-di-papua/