Now, each Kazakhstani citizen can voluntarily establish a ban on getting loans and microloans. To do this, one needs to submit an application via the eGov Mobile app or eGov.kz portal.

Only a citizen himself/herself can apply for the service. The ban on getting loans and microloans is set for 6 months and is lifted automatically upon expiration. Also, a citizen can cancel the restrictions at any time by submitting an application for early termination of service for voluntary refusal to get bank loans.

"In cooperation with the First Credit Bureau, we launched the service for voluntary refusal to get loans and microloans. Note that only a citizen himself/herself applies for a voluntary refusal to get loans and can withdraw an application if needed. By doing this, we want to help our citizens to protect themselves from the scammers who are trying to get loans illegally," said Rostislav Konyashkin, Chairman of the Board, National Information Technologies JSC.

It should be highlighted that the same service is available on the First Credit Bureau website on a paid basis. When submitting an application on the e-Gov portal, a verification is made to check availability of a valid application for the First Credit Bureau service. For instance, if there are no requests made previously, then you need to apply for a ban. If there is a request (optional), you can apply for its termination.

The service for voluntary refusal to get loans is available on the homepage of the eGov Mobile app in the "Popular Services" section. A similar service can also be obtained on the eGov.kz portal in the "For Citizenry" - "Customs and Taxes" - "Economics and Finance" section.

It should be noted that the service was implemented under the framework of amendments made to legal acts providing for consolidation of the right of an individual to eliminate voluntary refusal to get bank loans and microloans and introduction of a ban for banks and microfinance organizations to provide loans to an individual, if there is information in a borrower's credit history about voluntary refusal to get a loan.

At the same time, one needs to take the following into account:

• the service minimize the possibility of obtaining a loan by third parties, notifying financial organizations about a citizen`s refusal to get loans, but does not fully guarantee the non-provision of a loan;
• financial organizations in which an individual has outstanding obligations/an existing loan, when requesting information about it, will receive additional information that this individual has restricted access to his/her data for processing new loans;
• decision to issue a loan is made on a lender`s own discretion;
• a user can see details on the requested loan applications in a personal account of www.1cb.kz website (First Credit Bureau).

The service became available thanks to the integration of information systems of the State Services Committee under the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the First Credit Bureau and National Information Technologies JSC.