Phishing Victims in Belgium: Steps to Take and Bank Refund Rights

If you fall victim to a phishing scam, acting swiftly is crucial. The immediate priority is to contact your bank's fraud department and report the incident to the police to aid in the apprehension of the culprits. A recent court decision in Antwerp reinforces the obligation of banks to provide provisional refunds to phishing victims, unless clear evidence of gross negligence on the part of the customer emerges.

Banks are required to have dedicated 24/7 phone lines for reporting fraud. Promptly notifying your bank allows them to potentially block further transactions and secure your accounts. It is also advisable to contact Card Stop at 078 170 170 to block your bank cards. The bank must then establish a case file to investigate the phishing incident. If money continues to disappear from your account after you've reported the scam, the bank is generally obligated to reimburse these amounts, regardless of customer negligence, provided the payments were unauthorized.

Filing a police report is an essential step, though it can be a significant psychological hurdle for many. This underreporting contributes to a "dark number," suggesting the actual number of phishing victims is likely much higher than official statistics indicate. When you file a complaint, the police will create a formal report, allowing you to detail the entire incident. This process is vital for both seeking restitution and contributing to broader efforts to combat cybercrime.