Bank Leumi vs. Meta: Sues for NIS 26.6 Million Over Fraudulent Ads on Facebook and Instagram

Bank Leumi has filed a lawsuit for NIS 26.6 million against Meta, alleging that the company enables the distribution of paid fraudulent ads impersonating the bank on Facebook and Instagram. The bank claims Meta approves false ads for payment without proper screening, and that attackers caused financial damages to customers. The lawsuit also demands permanent injunctions, including identity verification for advertisers and labeling ads from unverified accounts.

Bank Leumi filed a lawsuit yesterday (Monday) for NIS 26.6 million in the Tel Aviv District Court against Meta, alleging that the company enables the systematic distribution of paid fraudulent advertisements impersonating the bank on Facebook and Instagram. According to the lawsuit, Meta approves and promotes false ads for payment, turning a blind eye to suspicious signs and failing to implement adequate screening and control mechanisms. The ads include unauthorized use of the bank's name and trademarks, offering false benefits such as shopping vouchers or car raffles to lure users into providing access credentials and verification codes. The information provided was used by attackers to breach bank accounts and withdraw funds. The bank details damages of NIS 3.9 million for refunding customers, NIS 17.7 million for handling and monitoring costs, and NIS 5 million for reputational harm. In the background, the bank points to an escalation: in July, 243 cases of false advertising were identified, more than the total cases in the first half of 2026, and in the first two weeks of August, customers suffered NIS 590,000 in damages. The lawsuit also demands permanent injunctions, including identity verification for advertisers and labeling ads from unverified accounts.