It's a message that's been repeated here many times before: be vigilant when you receive a call from an unknown number. Over the past few days we have received several reports of unsolicited calls to so-called online cryptocurrency wallets. In most cases, these were normal-looking Belgian mobile phone numbers.
The only advice: end the conversation and, if you insist, block the caller's number. Another basic piece of advice is never to divulge personal information (especially banking information!) over the telephone, especially to unsolicited callers.
Telephone scams usually take a variety of forms, with impostors posing as official agents or employees of well-known institutions.
Recently, the crypto-currency craze has led to interest from criminals, giving them new ways to exploit vulnerable people. Although investing in crypto-currencies looks promising on the surface, you should always remain cautious. Do thorough research, check the legitimacy of investment platforms and avoid promises of guaranteed returns. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
What to do?
- Do not click on a link in a suspicious message, do not open attachments and do not download applications if you are asked to.
- Suspicious emails can be forwarded to suspicious@safeonweb.be.
- Suspicious text messages can also be forwarded. Take a screenshot and send it to suspicious@safeonweb.be. The content is then processed automatically.
Did you click on a suspicious link?
- If you have clicked on the link, do not complete the fields and terminate any interaction.
- NEVER give out personal codes.
- If you have entered a password that you also use elsewhere, change it immediately.
- If you have clicked on a link that opens a website where you have to submit bank details, first check that this is the real website of your bank. If you have the slightest doubt, do not make a payment.
Have you been scammed?
- If you have lost money or are being extorted, we recommend that you file a report with your local police straight away.
- Contact your bank and/or Card Stop on 078 170 170 (+32 78 170 170 from abroad) if you have passed on bank details, money is disappearing from your bank account or if you have transferred money to a scammer. In this way, any fraudulent transactions can be blocked.
