Has money been stolen from your account? Did you share security codes at someone’s request or confirm an action in your itsme® app, or do you suspect misuse of your banking details? If so, call Fraudstop immediately. This allows your bank to act quickly and helps limit any further damage. Don’t wait, the sooner you act, the better protected you’ll be.
Fraudstop is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and enables potential victims of online fraud to contact their bank via one central number to block their digital applications. Depending on your bank, this will be done either through an automated message from Fraudstop to your bank or by being transferred to your bank’s fraud department. In the latter case, it is important to stay on the line until you are connected to your bank. The bank will then do everything possible to take the necessary security measures and block your applications.
Have you been a victim of online fraud and do you want to have your banking apps blocked at multiple banks? This is possible, but it is important that you contact each bank separately. Fraudstop can only connect you to one bank at a time. You will therefore need to contact the other bank afterwards, either by calling Fraudstop again or via your bank’s fraud department’s direct number.
Yes, you can also reach Fraudstop 24/7 from abroad via the telephone number 0032 (0) 78 170 170.
When reporting the fraud, bring as much evidence as possible with you: your banking details (account number, misused card(s), overview of fraudulent transactions) and all information about the fraud (e-mails, text messages, websites, contact details, etc.). Preferably save and gather everything digitally, and if software was installed, bring your device with you if possible. Be sure to consult the flyer for a complete overview of what you should bring.
Fraudsters take advantage of basic human traits such as curiosity, fear, trust and greed. They exploit current events, take advantage of the trust they have built and create a sense of urgency through time pressure. Fraudsters use clever tactics making it more likely that you fall into the trap.
If your bank card or device (mobile phone, tablet, wearable, etc.) is lost or stolen, it is best to contact Card Stop straight away. If you also want to block other means of payment — such as cards, meal vouchers or apps like Google Pay, Bancontact Pay or Apple Pay — Card Stop can help with that as well.
We do more and more online these days - from shopping and filing tax returns to selling second-hand items or managing our banking. This makes life easier, but also increases the risk of fraud: fake messages from “your bank” or “the government”, fake webshops and misleading adverts on social media are appearing more and more often. Fraudsters take advantage of the trust people place in them: they pretend to be a reliable sender, create pressure (“respond immediately”), use personal information they have found online and send messages that look strikingly real and professional — or lure you in with attractive promises or quick money.
Every year, Belgian banks invest heavily in the security of their products and systems. They use a whole range of measures: from continuous monitoring by cyber experts (with around 75% of fraudulent transfers being detected, blocked or recovered) to strong safeguards such as two-step verification, checks between name and account number and blocking fraudulent websites. Customers receive extra protection via payment limits, waiting times when raising limits, alerts for suspicious activity and confirmations via itsme®, while banks are also available 24/7 when fraud is suspected and continue to invest in awareness and prevention.
Even so, banks cannot stop fraud on their own. Criminals often operate through channels outside the banking environment, like phishing e-mails, phone calls or social media. That is why broad cooperation is needed with the government, police and judicial authorities, but also with telecom operators, internet providers, trading platforms and technology and social media companies, so that everyone contributes to a better protection for consumers.
Online banking needs to be safe. Your bank plays an important role in this, but so do you. The tips below will help you protect yourself better against fraud.
- Keep your security codes strictly confidential.
- Never let anyone else use your payment card.
- Make sure the device you use for your banking is properly secured (updates).
- Check the transactions on your account regularly.
- Notice something suspicious? Call Fraudstop.
You should never go along with this kind of request. A bank will never ask for personal details such as PIN codes or card reader codes, nor will it ask you to confirm transactions via itsme®. Not by phone, e-mail, WhatsApp or social media — your bank would never ask you this.
