Do you know these 9 types of internet fraud?

Key points: 

• Online scams are becoming increasingly common and come in many forms. 
• Do not trust every web shop. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. 
• Not sure? Talk to your parents first. 
• Never share personal information such as your bank card code or passwords. 

1. Fraudulent websites 

A fraudulent website looks like a real website, for example that of a bank or web shop, but it has been created by scammers who want to steal your personal information or the money in your bank account. 

How do you recognise a fraudulent website? 

Look out for spelling mistakes or unusual web addresses. Fraudulent websites also often ask for unnecessary personal information, such as your national registration number or your bank card PIN code. 

A few tips: 

• A secure website always starts with ‘https’ and displays a padlock in the address bar. If the ‘s’ is missing, the website is not secure. 
• Always check the official website address (for example by searching on Google) and never use links from suspicious emails or messages. You can find more tips about online fraud here. 
• The FPS Economy website has a list of suspicious web shops.

2. Bank card fraud 

With bank card fraud, criminals use your bank card details to take money from your account without your knowledge. 

How do you recognise bank card fraud?

Have you seen suspicious transfers in your banking app or have you received a message from your bank about suspicious transactions? If so, there is a chance you are the victim of bank card fraud.

A few tips: 

• Never share your card details and check your bank account regularly. 
• Block your card immediately if you notice anything suspicious. You can do this by calling Card Stop on 078 170 170. 
• In Easy Banking App, you can set up notifications to alert you whenever more than a certain amount leaves your account. You decide the amount yourself. 

3. Phishing

Phishing is a method used by scammers to steal your personal information, such as passwords or bank details, through email or text messages. They do this by sending fake messages from unofficial email addresses.

How do you recognise phishing? 

You receive a message by email, text message, phone call, etc. asking you to click on a link and enter your details. If you do not comply, the sender threatens you with a fine or the blocking of your account. The message is often extremely urgent, for example: ‘Avoid having your account blocked within 24 hours’. Scammers mainly want you to act quickly without thinking too much.

A few tips: 

• Never click on links in suspicious messages and never share confidential information. 
• Forward suspicious messages to suspicious@safeonweb.be and show them to your parents and friends so they do not fall into the same trap. 
• Read more about phishing in this article. 

4. Quishing 

Quishing is phishing through a QR code. Scammers send you a fake QR code to scan, which then leads you to a fraudulent website or installs malware on your device. Fake QR codes can be found not only online but also in physical locations, for example on stickers fraudsters place over the real code on parking meters or payment terminals.

A few tips: 

• Never scan a QR code without first checking where it comes from. 
• Use a secure QR scanner. Some QR scanning apps include security features that check the safety of a link before you open it. 

5. Investment fraud

In investment fraud, scammers try to persuade you to invest in fake schemes by promising quick profits.

How do you recognise investment fraud? 

You receive an offer via social media or email that seems too good to be true. Is Brad Pitt or Lady Gaga sharing investment tips? These are scammers using the names of celebrities to lure you into a trap. Or have you received an invitation to join an 'exclusive' group of financial advisors? That’s just another trap designed to encourage you to invest in fake financial products.

A few tips: 

• Never blindly trust advice from strangers and always check with official authorities whether an investment is legitimate. 
• Thinking about investing as a teenager? Talk to your parents first. They will no doubt have valuable experience to share with you. 
• Read this article about investment fraud.

6. Marketplace scams

In marketplace scams, fraudsters post fake adverts for products they are not actually selling.

How do you recognise marketplace scams? 

The price is often far too low, and the seller asks you to transfer money before you have seen the product or received enough information about it. 

A few tips: 

• Only buy through reliable websites. See point 1 to learn how to recognise them. 
• Never pay in advance without first checking the payment and delivery terms. 

7. Doorstep scams 

Someone comes to your door pretending to work for a bank, the government or another organisation in order to obtain money or information. 

How do you recognise doorstep scams? 

The person asks for your personal information or requests payment for a service you did not ask for. 

A few tips: 

• Never let someone into your home without checking who they are and always ask for identification. 
• Contact the organisation through an official address or phone number. 
• Tell your parents so that they can warn your neighbours too. 

8. Friendship scams

Friendship scams are a form of fraud in which scammers use fake online profiles to contact victims. They pretend to want friendship and build a relationship of trust with you, but in reality they are only after your money. Before long, they start asking for financial help. 

How do you recognise friendship scams? 

Scammers often look for victims through dating sites and apps, but they also use email, chat services and social media. They quickly ask for money or personal information and want to keep the conversation secret. 

Money for a plane ticket to come and visit you or the medical costs of a sick family member? Online scammers are very imaginative and play on your emotions. One way or another, there will always be another reason why they urgently need more money. 

A few tips: 

• Do not share personal information and be careful with people you meet online. 
• Read this article about friendship scams.

9. Helpdesk scams 

Scammers call you pretending to be employees of your bank or a well-known company in order to gain access to your computer or personal information. 

How do you recognise helpdesk scams? 

A bank employee will never ask for personal information over the phone. Requests to install remote access software on your computer or smartphone should also raise alarm bells. Never give anyone access to your computer and hang up if you are in doubt. Need help? Contact the helpdesk yourself using the official phone number, or ask your parents to help you. 

Stay alert to internet fraud 

After reading this article, you are undoubtedly better prepared to protect yourself against internet fraud. Would you like to know more about online shopping? In this article, we explain step by step how it works. 

Do you think you may have been the victim of online scammers? Talk about it with your parents and read this article for extra tips.