Overview of Recent Incidents Affecting Santander Bank Polska SA

A series of coordinated thefts targeting the accounts of Santander Bank Polska SA customers was reported on 27 October 2025. According to multiple news sources, the incidents involved the illicit withdrawal of cash from bank‑card terminals across several Polish cities. The bank has confirmed that the transactions were fraudulent and has announced the automatic restoration of the affected funds to the victims’ accounts.

Details of the Fraudulent Transactions

• Nature of the crime: Criminals allegedly used duplicate magnetic‑strip cards or compromised PIN data to conduct unauthorized withdrawals at ATMs.
• Scope: Reports indicate that the thefts affected hundreds of customers, with losses amounting to thousands of zlotys.
• Geographic distribution: The majority of complaints have been registered from the Kujawsko‑Pomorskie voivodeship, especially Bydgoszcz (51 reports), but also from other towns such as Nakło, Żnin, and Aleksandrów Kujawski. Additional incidents were noted in other regions, including Wielkopolska.

Bank’s Response

• Refunds: Santander Bank Polska SA has announced that all impacted customers will receive a full refund. The reimbursement will be processed automatically by the bank’s systems.
• Notification: The bank has issued a public statement to the Polish Press Agency (PAP) and has filed an official criminal complaint with the authorities.
• Conditions for reimbursement: While the bank assures that refunds will be executed, it has indicated that certain formalities must be fulfilled by the customers to complete the process. Specific requirements are yet to be detailed.

Law Enforcement Actions

• Police investigation: The Main Police Headquarters (Komenda Główna Policji) is conducting an investigation into the matter.
• Reports of complaints: Police records confirm over 120 complaints nationwide, with a concentration of incidents in the Kujawsko‑Pomorskie region.
• Public advisory: The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration has urged citizens to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity.

Implications for Santander Bank Polska SA

• Operational impact: The bank’s monitoring systems detected the fraudulent transactions promptly, enabling a swift response and the initiation of refunds.
• Customer trust: The bank’s immediate action to reimburse customers and its cooperation with law enforcement aim to mitigate potential damage to its reputation.
• Regulatory compliance: By filing a criminal complaint and cooperating with police investigations, the bank demonstrates adherence to regulatory requirements concerning financial fraud and customer protection.

Current Status

• Refunds: The process is underway; affected customers should see the restored balance in their accounts shortly.
• Investigation: The police inquiry remains active, with the expectation that further details regarding the perpetrators and the method of fraud will be disclosed as the investigation proceeds.
• Customer guidance: The bank has advised customers to verify any unauthorized transactions promptly and to contact customer support for assistance.

The incident highlights the ongoing threat of card‑based fraud in Poland and underscores the importance of robust monitoring systems, swift remedial action, and close cooperation between financial institutions and law enforcement agencies.