EN Phishing: do you recognise a false message?
The most common form of fraud is phishing. Fraudsters fish for their victims' bank details and personal bank codes. Their modus operandi: the fraudsters send you a message containing a link to a fake website. They use the most popular channels to contact you:, email, text message, Facebook, and other social media channels, Messenger, WhatsApp, you name it. You can also be contacted by telephone.
The criminals have only one goal: to empty your bank account by asking for your personal banking codes. Usually these are your internet banking codes, such as the code that appears on your card reader when you want to log in. Sometimes they also ask for the secret code of your bank card (PIN number). To gain your trust, they use names and logos of companies and organisations that you know well, such as your bank, a second-hand website or a telecom company. Stay alert!
If you click on the link you were sent and enter your personal bank codes on the fake website, you will give the fraudsters free access to your bank account. Result: they will run off with your money and you will be left behind with an empty bank account. So do not blindly accept any requests to pay outstanding or overdue invoices urgently, apply for a new bank card, carry out a security update, .... And remember: your bank or any other organisation will never ask you for your personal bank codes via a link. If you do get such a message, it is fake.
Do you think you have received a false message?
Please forward it to suspicious@safeonweb.be. That way, the suspicious link will get blocked and less attentive internet users who do click on the link will also be protected.
Want to know more about how to outsmart a phisher? Then surf to safeonweb.be.
Some basic rules to prevent phishing
Febelfin provides you with some tips to protect yourself against various forms of phishing. Always keep these 4 rules of thumb in mind.
- Never give out your internet banking codes via e-mail, social media, sms or phone. Your online banking codes are as secret as your bank card PIN!
- Never go via a link to your bank's payment site or mobile app. Your bank will never ask you for your codes via a link.
- Always type the address of your bank website yourself into your browser. You can also save the address in your browser's list of favourites. Or open the mobile app of your bank yourself.
- If you are in doubt, it is better to stop. If you have received a strange message and you do not know what to do, it is better to be safe than sorry, and stop everything.
Did you pass on your codes?
Follow the next steps as soon as possible:
- Contact your bank.
- Notify Card Stop (www.cardstop.be or 078 170 170) if you have also provided card details.
- Change your codes.
- File a complaint with the police.