Online Scams & Fraud in Belgium

In today's digital world, online fraud and scams are an increasing threat, and Belgium is no exception. The growth of e-commerce, online banking, and social networking has given thieves additional opportunities to trick and con unwary victims.

Phishing scams continue to cause major damage to Belgium even as the government and scam-fighting community continue to fight this menace. After falling by 14% in 2020, fraud cases increased by 32% in 2021, especially in light of the sharp increase in reported phishing incidents. In general, fraud now makes up 4.4% of all cases.

Read on to find out all you need to know about scams in Belgium, where to report scams, and how you can protect yourself from the fraudsters

Scam Statistics in Belgium

The key statistics on online fraud in Belgium, according to the Global Anti Scam Alliance. 

The figures in the table will differ strongly per year as various sources have been used, pending on availability.

Where Can I Report a Scam in Belgium?

If you are a victim of scams in Belgium, there are several places you can go to such as;

• Local Police- Register your complaint to the local police or their Belgian Federal Computer Crime Unit (FCCU) by paying them a visit or online at Police on the Web.
• SafeOnWeb.be- This project was launched by the Centre for Cybersecurity Belgium (CCB) and you can report phishing scams here.
• Report Belgium- Both businesses and consumers can report swindlers and scammers who are engaging in misleading information.
• Belgium Cyber Emergency Response Team (CERT)- This is the place to go when you want to report any cybercrime committed against you in Belgium.
• FPS Economy- Customers and businesses can report dishonesty, deceit, fraud, or scams on this internet platform.

How to Report a Scam in Belgium

Reporting a scam is crucial. At the moment, only 7% of all scams are reported. As a result, only 0.05% of all cybercriminals are caught. Reporting online fraud is not only essential if you want to try and get your money back. It is also needed to help law enforcement fight scammers better.

• Gather info: Collect all information about the suspected fraud including the name, telephone, key web pages, emails, IP address, and any other information relevant. This is needed to file a complete report.
• Report the incident: Always report to your local law enforcement and note the file number they might provide for your fraud report for future reference.
• Stop the Money: Report the incident to the financial institution that transferred the money such as your bank, Paypal, credit card company, or the Internet payment service provider.
• Protect yourself: Scammers often contact you again. Sometimes with the same scam. Sometimes to help you “recover your money”. Consider changing your email address/phone number. Also, install the ScamAdviser browser extension to warn you of scams.
   

Our article “How and Where to Report a Scam” gives you more detail and tips on how you can best report online fraud.

Scam Victim Support in Belgium

Victim Support-Whether you are a victim or a survivor of a victim, the victim support service can assist you and offers you information and support throughout the entire legal process:

How to Check for a Scam in Belgium

Of course, you can always check for scams on ScamAdviser.com. However, there are several other sources where you can check if a website is registered as a company and if it can offer financial, gambling, or other regulated services as well.

• Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA)- You can check for investment scams here as they constantly warn the public about fraudulent websites.
• The Federation of Belgian Chambers of Commerce- Visit them to check for the best business practices in Belgium.

Anti-Scam Organizations & Consumer Authorities

• ClickSafe- This focuses on children and is perfect for parents who want to ensure their kids are safe while browsing the internet.
• CyberSimple- They help people navigate the internet by providing tips and tools for safe browsing.

Popular Scams in Belgium

Phishing Scams

This is a fraud in which con artists pretend to be a reputable business or organization in order to collect money and personal information. They might make calls, send texts, or send emails that seem to come from a reputable source. The aim of scammers is to trick you into revealing sensitive information such as login credentials or financial details.  An email address for reporting phishing emails has been established by the Center for Cybersecurity Belgium (CCB). The outcome has been a resounding success. The CCB received 3.2 million emails in 2020. The information gathered is fed into Internet filters that shield Belgian people from nefarious websites.

In general, when receiving unsolicited electronic communications, it is vital to be watchful and careful, especially if they contain links or attachments. Before clicking any links or entering any personal information in the message, always double-check the sender's address and the message's content.

You should notify the proper authorities, such as the police or the Belgium Federal Computer Crime Unit if you believe you have received a phishing message. To further safeguard your devices from online dangers, it is advised to update your software frequently and utilize antivirus and anti-malware tools.

Scam News From Belgium 

• Phishing gang behind several million euros worth of losses busted in Belgium and the Netherlands
• International students in Belgium fall victim to a financial scam

Image source: unsplash.com