Phishing is also a scourge on second-hand goods sites

Fraudsters are constantly finding new ways of extracting your data from you. And now second-hand goods websites, among others, have become their target, says the 'Baromètre de la société de l'Information'.

Here’s how they go about it: a fraudster pretends to be a ‘buyer’ who is interested by a product you are offering for sale. To make sure he has the right name and the right account number to send the money to, he asks you to transfer 1 euro cent via a payment link. However, this site only takes you to a fraudulent website, where you are asked to fill in your bank details…

Small amounts
These days, phishing fraudsters prefer to steal lots of small amounts, rather than a single large one. As a potential victim, you receive a message in the name of a bank (or some other institution), which contains a link to a fraudulent site, where your banking codes and details are stolen. The swindlers are then able to make transactions in your name.

8 million euros
Unfortunately, the fact that the fraudsters’ creative flair is reaping its rewards is reflected in the figures: in 2018, online banking fraud almost tripled in comparison with the previous year. That represents a theft of more than 8 million euros!

What can you do about it?
Always apply some common sense. For example, it is not normal for sellers or buyers to ask you to transfer a small amount in advance. If they do, don’t trust them – don’t just click without thinking on a link sent to you, and certainly don’t enter your bank details on any online form you may be redirected to.

And if you are approached by one of these 'buyers' via a second-hand platform, always report it to the contact point at FPS Economy.

Have you received a phishing e-mail? If you have, forward it to suspect@safeonweb.be before marking it as spam and deleting it.