The Centre for Cybersecurity Belgium has intercepted an unconfirmed message on the dark web in which someone claims to possess telephone details of elderly people in Belgium. It is currently unconfirmed whether these details are genuine, where they come from or how many people may be affected. Such messages do appear from time to time and demonstrate that older people in particular are being targeted by online fraudsters.
You should therefore be extra vigilant against telephone fraud and smishing. Scammers may pose as your bank, a government department, the police, a telecoms company, a health insurance fund or a family member. They often try to pressure you into responding quickly.
Who should be particularly vigilant?
Anyone can receive a suspicious call or text message. This warning is particularly important for:
- older people;
- family members, informal carers and care providers;
- people who help older relatives with banking, administration or digital devices;
- anyone who receives an unexpected call with an urgent story.
How do scammers operate?
Scammers try to gain your trust or put you under pressure. For example, they might say that:
- there is a suspicious payment on your account;
- your bank card or account will be blocked;
- you need to transfer money urgently;
- your computer or phone is infected;
- you have a problem with your health insurance, insurance or administration;
- a family member urgently needs help;
- you must provide a code to ‘confirm’ or ‘secure’ something.
Reputable organisations never ask you to provide PINs or secret codes, not even over the phone.
Read more about telephone scams.
What can you do?
- Call the official number of your bank, company or organisation yourself.
- Forward suspicious messages to suspicious@safeonweb.be and then delete them.
Talk to others
This warning is particularly important for older people and those around them. Discuss this with parents, grandparents, neighbours or people who are less familiar with digital scams.
A simple rule can help: never give out codes over the phone or via text message, even if it seems urgent.
Have you been scammed?
Take action now : https://safeonweb.be/en/victim-scam
