European Court: banks must refund phishing victims immediately
On 15 October 2026 the Court of Justice of the EU ruled that a bank must refund an unauthorised payment immediately, even if it thinks the customer was careless. The ruling applies in all countries of the European Union.
HelpBeen scammed? What to do in the first hours
Acting fast makes the difference. This step-by-step plan helps you block your money, ask for it back and secure your accounts.
Scams"Hi Mum, this is my new number"
A message from your child, from an unknown number. Soon after comes an urgent request for money.
ScamsThe fake bank employee on the phone
Your bank calls: there are suspicious payments. Your screen even shows the bank's real number. Yet it is a scam.
ScamsThe text message about your parcel
“Your parcel could not be delivered. Pay 1.99 € for a new delivery.” It looks harmless, but they are after your bank details.
Scams“Your digital key is expiring”: the fake email from your bank
An email or text message says your banking app or your digital identity (such as itsme or BankID) is expiring and that you must “renew” it. This is how they steal your access.
ScamsThe fake buyer on Marketplace or 2dehands
You are selling something online. A buyer wants it straight away and sends a link "to receive your money".
ScamsCEO fraud and the changed account number
An email from the boss or a regular supplier: "Our account number has changed." Businesses lose thousands of euros this way.
ScamsInvestment fraud with fake celebrities
An ad with a famous person: “This is how I earn thousands of euros a month with crypto.” The video is fake.
ScamsRomance fraud: in love with someone who doesn't exist
A new online friend is kind, caring and lives far away. After a few weeks, a problem comes up that only you can solve.
HackingThe fake helpdesk: "Your computer is infected"
A pop-up or phone call from "Microsoft" says your computer has a virus. They want to take a quick look.
HackingSIM swap: they take over your mobile number
Suddenly your mobile has no signal. Meanwhile, someone else is receiving your text message codes.
HackingNotifications until you press "Yes"
Your phone keeps asking: "Approve sign-in?" In the middle of the night. Until, worn out, you press Yes.
ScamsThe fake QR code on the parking meter
A sticker with a QR code: "Pay for your parking here." You scan, you pay, and you hand your card details to scammers.
ScamsFake online shops: too good to be true
Designer clothes at 70 percent off, a games console that is sold out everywhere. You pay, but nothing ever arrives.
HackingData breaches: your password is already out there
Billions of passwords have leaked. If you use the same one everywhere, hackers automatically try it on all your other accounts.
ScamsThe fake government: taxes, fines and refunds
“You are entitled to a refund of 312 €” or “You have an unpaid fine”. With the government's logo.
Scams"Earn money with likes": the task scam
A job offer via WhatsApp: like videos, 50 euros a day. For the first few days you really do get paid.
ScamsYour child calls in a panic. But it's a computer voice.
With a few seconds of sound from a video, scammers can copy a voice. Then they call a parent or grandparent.
ScamsThe second scam: “We will get your money back”
People who have already been scammed often get a second call: a lawyer or agency promises to get the money back.
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Check or report a scam
Got a strange call, a suspicious text, email or website? See if others reported it already, or report it yourself. That way you warn the next person.