- 04/10/2023

The bank in the digital age: spot and avoid phishing

2 min

No one is immune to fraud attempts. In the past six months, 69% of Belgians received at least one phishing message. With their vast and diverse customer base, financial institutions are a prime target for cybercriminals. As technology evolves rapidly, fraud attempts, specifically phishing, are becoming increasingly sophisticated and manifest themselves through various means: emails, SMS, phone calls, and more.

According to the Centre for Cybersecurity Belgium, in 2022, approximately 25 alerts were issued to internet users every minute, preventing nearly 14 million clicks on malicious websites. In the same year, Belgian internet users forwarded exactly six million messages to the email address suspect@safeonweb.be, or over 16,000 messages per day!

These figures show the importance of always being on the lookout. A single moment of inattention can have serious consequences. In all cases, remember this golden rule: your bank will never ask for your confidential data, secret codes (PIN codes, CVV, etc.) or your M1/M2 signature results. It will also never ask you to install software to remotely control your computer, such as TeamViewer or AnyDesk.

With the integration of bpost bank into BNP Paribas Fortis* in January 2024, you will receive several communications, including those about the new Packs on offer. We remind you to always be vigilant, as fraudsters may try to impersonate the bank.

Some examples 

A phishing email may, at first glance, seem completely authentic... except that it provides a login link leading to a fraudulent website.

Phishing is not limited to your email inbox. Discover a concrete example of phone fraud in images.

How to protect yourself?

By being cautious. First, check the sender's full address to verify if it is an official address. Before clicking on a link, hover your mouse over it without clicking to check the URL. Train yourself to spot fraudulent links on the website surfersanssoucis.safeonweb.be.

What to do in case of fraud?

Did you receive a suspicious message? 

Did you receive a message with our logo, inviting you to communicate, in one way or another, your account number and card code, your CVV code, your M1 or M2? 
Do not respond and do not click on the link! Send the email, screenshot of the SMS, etc. to phishing@bnpparibasfortis.com.

Think you have disclosed confidential data? 

• Check your last transactions to identify suspicious movements.
• Always contact the Easy Banking Centre (Monday to Friday from 7am to 10pm and Saturday from 9am to 5pm). Or call 02 762 20 00. 
• Outside the Easy Banking Centre's opening hours and only in case of suspected fraud, contact 02 433 43 75. To easily contact the Easy Banking Centre or the dedicated fraud number, go through the Easy Banking App by clicking on "Help and contact" under the "Communication" tab.
• Immediately block all your bank cards via Card Stop at 078 170 170 or block your debit card(s) via Easy Banking App. via Easy Banking App.
• File a report with the police and send a copy of your statement to your BNP Paribas Fortis advisor.
• Check, via Easy Banking Web (Settings > Access to our apps) or Easy Banking App (Settings > Security > Devices with our apps), the devices on which your banking app has been installed and remove any suspicious or unknown devices. 

You will find more information on Safeonweb.be and on the website of the Belgian Financial Sector Federation. 

Finally, to avoid phishing traps and stay safe online, discover all our tips and tricks by clicking on the link below.

Protect yourself against fraud and phishing

*Subject to the approval of the supervisory authorities and the competent bodies of bpost bank and BNP Paribas Fortis.