Unfortunately scams are always around ; criminals get smarter and find new tricks continuously.
Some general rules:
- if someone calls you saying they are from your bank, call them! Don’t use the number they called you but check the number of your bank’s customer service and use that number. Then check if they called you. If it is really the bank who called you they will understand and be happy you are careful. This also appies if any other financial organisation calls you.
- if you receive an email/text message or other message (e.g. WhatsApp) from a family member or friend asking urgently to pay a bill or give them a loan, CALL this person on his/her usual number and check. You will recognise the voice of the person and can be sure it was (or wasn’t) really this person.
- if you receive a bill you didn’t expect (e.g. from the taxes, your energy supplier, phone company etc.) don’t pay immediately but check your administration. If this doesn’t help, CALL the organisation sending you the bill on their usual number (not the number on the bill as it could be fake) and check.
It is suggested to check every request to pay or to transfer your money to another account carefully.
More information on https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/…/waar-kan-ik-cybercrime… (Dutch only).
Are you still a victim of scams/cybercime, report to the police and make sure no traces get lost (don’t close your computer/phone, save as much information as possible and give this to the police. Also inform your bank. Sometimes they can give you your money back.
