Scammers are regularly active on online platforms for buying and selling (e.g. 2dehands, Vinted...).

The scammer, pretending to be a seller, offers one or more items for sale at an exceptionally attractive price.

Typically, they will ask you to pay the agreed amount either immediately or, alternatively, through a money transfer service such as Western Union. Once the money is transferred, all contact details vanish from the internet.

Scammers can also pose as buyers. For example, someone might claim to be interested in your product and request a courier service to collect the purchase. At the same time, the person offers to pay using the payment facilities of that company.

In all likelihood, you are dealing with a fraudulent buyer who is using a fake courier service to obtain your personal banking details without you realising it.

Have you fallen victim to a scam and lost money or shared your bank details with scammers?

1. If you have shared your credit or bank card details, notify Card Stop immediately at 078 170 170 (+32 78 170 170 from abroad) to block your cards.
2. Contact your bank immediately so that the payment(s) and possibly the bank account can be blocked.
3. If money has actually been stolen from your account, report the incident to the local police.
4. Forward the suspicious message (e-mail or SMS) to suspect@safeonweb.be to block the URL of the suspicious website to spare other victims.
5. If you paid by credit card, fill in a dispute form on macarte.be to report an unauthorised payment transaction via your credit card.
6. Report the incident to us.