Protect yourself against fraud and phishing
The good and the not so good news
Receiving e-mails, shopping, social media... the internet has widened the scope of what is possible.
To ensure this continues to be a positive experience and to avoid pitfalls, we all need to be vigilant, however.
Pay attention
Did you receive a strange message? Don't click the link. On a more general note, never share your confidential data.
Sensitive data is exchanged with your bank through our secure channels, the Easy Banking App and Easy Banking Web.
Stay informed in order to (re)act
Learn how to recognise scams! Check our video with practical tips, test your knowledge, and stay zen when you receive suspicious requests.
Too late? Here are some tips to help you.
Video: a real-life story
How to recognise fraud?
It’s both impressive and convincing
To avoid the trap, you need to start by recognising this type of fraud. This is not as easy as you think.
- Fraudsters use all the channels available to them: email, text messages, phone calls, social media, letters, and so on. Whatever the form, any form of communication may potentially be affected.
- The logo, the typeface, the information at the bottom of the page, the signature, and so on... The message looks very similar to the one that the alleged sender might send you. Fraudsters can also create perfect copies of official websites. Making it difficult to distinguish the fake from the real website unless you check the URL carefully.
- The content of the message might seem completely credible to you. This is perfectly normal: fraudsters are quite ingenious and know exactly how to construct a plausible scenario.
- There may not necessarily be spelling mistakes.
- The language level is often excellent: fraudsters are fluent in Dutch, English or French. And they are generally very friendly.
- They can steal phone numbers and email addresses, that may seem correct, but they are not.
- They can also, for example, intercept an invoice that you are expecting by email following a purchase or work done and change the beneficiary account number etc. So check all the elements (sender's email address, telephone number, etc.) and compare the account number with your order form!
What gives fraud away?
- The aim is to obtain confidential information. Do they request your secret codes, M1 or M2, and so on? Chances are that you are looking at attempted fraud.
- The message is clear, there is a sense of urgency. You feel rushed, stressed. And that is exactly what the fraudster is hoping to achieve: to encourage you to act without taking the time to think. You drop your guard and ultimately end up disclosing the information that they are looking for.
- You are asked to transfer money, whether to a supplier for a supposedly unpaid bill or to a ‘friend’ who is stuck in hospital, by clicking a link.
- An email is sent to you to finalize your online purchase and initiate the payment. You are invited to click the link in this email. Did you click it? You will be redirected to a fraudulent website that harvests your bank details.
As you know, this type of scam involves a certain amount of psychological manipulation.
How should you react?
Never share confidential data
Here is the most important security tip: never disclose sensitive data.
- Never communicate your PIN, M1 or M2 signature, itsme code, Easy Banking Web password, Easy Banking code, and so on.
- By phone, email, letter or any other message.
- Even if the message informs you that you are the victim of fraud, or that there is a security issue with your account. Even if the sender seems to be an official body such as the police, the government, a public service, etc.
Use your common sense
Ask yourself the right questions... and stay critical.
- Who is the sender of the message? How do you check their identity? Contact the retailer or your bank directly to check the veracity of the message or visit the site by entering the URL in your browser.
- Buying a luxury watch for 30 euros on a second-hand site... Does this sound realistic?
- Winning a competition you didn't take part in... Doesn’t this sound too good to be true?
It’s official, it’s Safeonweb
Test your knowledge
Want to test your knowledge of all things digital, including digital security? Take these quick tests, which are made available by SafeonWeb, the official website of the Belgian government on IT security.
An anti-phishing app
The SafeonWeb application has been developed by the Centre for Cyber Security Belgium. This app notifies you of online cyber threats and scams and offers you security advice.
A suspicious message? Did you mistakenly click a bad link? Here’s what to do:
Did you receive a suspicious message?
Did you receive a message with our logo inviting you to provide your account number and the card code, your M1 or M2?
Don't reply or click the link! Send the email, a print screen of the SMS, and so on to phishing@bnpparibasfortis.com
Did you receive a message from a supplier or an official body asking you to click a link and then log in to your ‘online bank’? Send the email, a print screen of the SMS, and so on to suspect@safeonweb.be
Do you think that you disclosed confidential data?
- Contact PrivilegeConnect (Mon-Fri 7-22h, Sat 9-17h) on 02 762 20 00.
- Outside PrivilegeConnect’s opening hours, and only in case of suspected fraud, please contact 02 433 43 75.
- Block all your bank cards immediately via Card Stop on 078 170 170.
- Report the incident to the police and send a copy of the report to your BNP Paribas Fortis branch.
- Check via Easy Banking Web (Settings > Access to our apps), the devices on which your app has been installed and remove those that are suspicious or unknown.
You can find more information on Safeonweb.be and the Belgian Financial Sector Federation.
More information on security
The basics of online security
Choose complex and unique passwords, surf via a secure connection, lock and update your devices, etc.
Discover the basics you need to know to ensure your online security.
Your online and mobile banking security
When you use Easy Banking Web and Easy Banking App, procedures are in place to ensure the security of your personal and banking data.
Find out how your online and mobile bank offers you a secure environment.
