Victim of Identity Theft – Help Me Break Free From a Debt I Never Took
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My Story
Hello everyone, my name is Imre.
I am starting this fundraiser because I have been living with the consequences of an identity theft that happened more than 15 years ago. It has taken my home, my financial stability, and a large part of my life — and now I am asking for help so I can finally regain my freedom.
My story began around 2008, when I was living in a shared apartment. One day, without my knowledge, someone used my personal identification documents that I had accidentally left at home. Later I learned that one of my former flatmates — who has since been convicted multiple times for fraud and document forgery — used my documents, along with outside help, to take out a large Swiss-franc-based bank loan in my name.
They even redirected my mail, so I received no letters from the bank. I had no idea a loan had been taken out, and I did not receive any notifications about missing payments or increasing debt.
I only learned about the entire situation years later, when I received a debt collection and foreclosure notice at my then-current address. By that time, due to currency fluctuations, unpaid interest, and various fees, the alleged debt had grown to more than 40 million HUF (over €100,000). The bank had also started the process to auction off my property.
I immediately reported the issue to the bank and explained that I had never taken out any loan. A lawsuit followed — but despite the evidence of identity misuse, the court ruled against me, and I was ordered to pay the legal costs as well.
My lawyer and I also filed a criminal complaint for fraud and document forgery. However, the investigation was closed because, according to the authorities, the signature on the contract was “too similar” to mine. At the time the loan was supposedly signed, I was verifiably at work — yet the case was still dismissed.
Eventually, my property was auctioned off, reducing the outstanding amount to approximately 30 million HUF (around €75,000). But this remaining debt is still far beyond what I can ever realistically pay.
Since then, my wages have been under enforcement, and due to a recent legal change in Hungary, I now receive only 200,000 HUF per month (about €500) to live on. This amount makes it nearly impossible to pay rent or basic living expenses.
I asked the bank to allow the previous 50% wage deduction instead of the current minimal-allowance system, but they refused, claiming the debt was too high.
I am now 45 years old, and based on the current situation, I might be forced to pay this unlawful debt until I am at least 65 — unless I leave the country or something changes.
I do not want to flee abroad. I do not want to start another long and risky legal battle where I might even be countersued. I just want a chance to live a normal life again.
Why I Need Help
This fundraiser is my last hope to finally pay the remaining enforced amount, close the case once and for all, and rebuild my life from zero.
I am not asking for luxury — only for a chance to escape from a debt that I never created, but that has controlled my life for nearly two decades.
Any support — whether a donation or simply sharing this campaign — brings me one step closer to freedom and stability.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for standing with me.
Imre
Hello everyone, my name is Imre.
I am starting this fundraiser because I have been living with the consequences of an identity theft that happened more than 15 years ago. It has taken my home, my financial stability, and a large part of my life — and now I am asking for help so I can finally regain my freedom.
My story began around 2008, when I was living in a shared apartment. One day, without my knowledge, someone used my personal identification documents that I had accidentally left at home. Later I learned that one of my former flatmates — who has since been convicted multiple times for fraud and document forgery — used my documents, along with outside help, to take out a large Swiss-franc-based bank loan in my name.
They even redirected my mail, so I received no letters from the bank. I had no idea a loan had been taken out, and I did not receive any notifications about missing payments or increasing debt.
I only learned about the entire situation years later, when I received a debt collection and foreclosure notice at my then-current address. By that time, due to currency fluctuations, unpaid interest, and various fees, the alleged debt had grown to more than 40 million HUF (over €100,000). The bank had also started the process to auction off my property.
I immediately reported the issue to the bank and explained that I had never taken out any loan. A lawsuit followed — but despite the evidence of identity misuse, the court ruled against me, and I was ordered to pay the legal costs as well.
My lawyer and I also filed a criminal complaint for fraud and document forgery. However, the investigation was closed because, according to the authorities, the signature on the contract was “too similar” to mine. At the time the loan was supposedly signed, I was verifiably at work — yet the case was still dismissed.
Eventually, my property was auctioned off, reducing the outstanding amount to approximately 30 million HUF (around €75,000). But this remaining debt is still far beyond what I can ever realistically pay.
Since then, my wages have been under enforcement, and due to a recent legal change in Hungary, I now receive only 200,000 HUF per month (about €500) to live on. This amount makes it nearly impossible to pay rent or basic living expenses.
I asked the bank to allow the previous 50% wage deduction instead of the current minimal-allowance system, but they refused, claiming the debt was too high.
I am now 45 years old, and based on the current situation, I might be forced to pay this unlawful debt until I am at least 65 — unless I leave the country or something changes.
I do not want to flee abroad. I do not want to start another long and risky legal battle where I might even be countersued. I just want a chance to live a normal life again.
Why I Need Help
This fundraiser is my last hope to finally pay the remaining enforced amount, close the case once and for all, and rebuild my life from zero.
I am not asking for luxury — only for a chance to escape from a debt that I never created, but that has controlled my life for nearly two decades.
Any support — whether a donation or simply sharing this campaign — brings me one step closer to freedom and stability.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for standing with me.
Imre
