December: a festive month but also a month of scams

This December month is all about parties and reunions. But beware: cybercriminals are more active than ever at the end of the year.

Beware when doing your end-of-year shopping online. Scammers will try to trick you with tempting offers.

• Have you received a particularly attractive offer? If the offer is too good to be true, it is not.
• Always check the URL of the website the offer refers you to. Do not click directly on the link or 'Checkout' button, but first place your mouse cursor on the link to check it. On a smartphone or tablet, you can do this by holding your finger on the link or button and the URL will be displayed. All too often, phishing is all about the details: a dot, a letter more or less, etc. Learn how to detect fake URLs in this short webinar: https://surfwithoutworries.safeonweb.be/en/modules/1
• Visit online sales sites by entering the official URL you know yourself rather than clicking on a link from a suspicious message.
• Never make online purchases via free public Wi-Fi networks. These networks are not secure, so anyone can access them, including cybercriminals who can steal your data.
• If you have ordered gifts for your loved ones, beware of fake delivery notices.

• Forward the e-mail or take a screenshot of the text message and send it to suspicious@safeonweb.be. The fraudulent links in these messages can then be redirected to a warning page.
• Never give your bank card code or digipass answer code after a request by e-mail, text message, phone call or message on social networks.
• Delete the suspicious message.

• If you have communicated your bank or credit card details, notify Card Stop immediately or call 078 170 170.
• Contact your bank to block the last payment and possibly the account.
• File a complaint with the local police.

• Safe online shopping: https://safeonweb.be/en/shop-safely-internet
• Learn to spot fraudulent emails: https://safeonweb.be/en/learn-identify-fake-e-mails