Warning Bell Tolls: Belgium Wages Battle Against Digital Fraud with New Campaign

Collaborative Effort to Combat Phishing and Spoofing Fraud

Brussels - In response to the alarming rise of phishing and spoofing fraud in Belgium, a campaign was launched on Monday by the financial sector, the government, and the Centre for Cybersecurity. The campaign, named “It’s in the details!”, aims to increase public awareness and encourage vigilance against online scams.

Rapidly Increasing Losses

• Belgian consumers lost over €39.8 million to phishing schemes in 2022, up from €25 million the previous year. (Source)
• Around 70% of Belgians reported receiving phishing messages, with young people aged 18-24 being the most targeted demographic. (Source)
• Nearly a quarter (23%) of young people admitted they had never heard of such scams.

Spearheading Public Education

Karel Baert, from the Belgian Banking Federation (Febelfin), addressed the growing need for awareness: “The growing prevalence of phishing and spoofing fraud underscores the importance of increased awareness among consumers and businesses. Nearly a quarter of young people are not aware of these scams, leaving them vulnerable to falling victim.”

Addressing Advanced Technologies in Phishing Scams

Miguel De Bruycker, the Director of the Centre for Cybersecurity, expressed concerns about advanced technologies being used to create increasingly convincing scams: “Fraudsters are becoming more resourceful, and these techniques can make it increasingly difficult for consumers to identify fake websites or emails. By raising awareness and offering practical tips, we can help people protect themselves and safeguard their personal information.”

Campaign Recommendations

The It’s in the details! campaign encourages users to:

1. Pay close attention to URLs and details of websites visited or links received.
2. Avoid clicking on suspicious links and instead, type the organization’s domain name directly into the address bar.

The campaign will be disseminated through various channels: media outlets, social media, and television.

SafeOnWeb Browser Extension

Users are advised to install the safeonweb browser extension tool on major browsers like Google Chrome to help identify safe websites based on color indicators:

• Green: Safe websites
• Orange: Proceed with caution
• Red: Avoid leaving sensitive information on these websites

Hacker Hotline: A New Tool in the Fight Against Digital Fraud

The Centre for Cybersecurity launched an interactive mobile escape room game, the Hacker Hotline, designed to engage young people and teach them about online security risks. The center plans to take the game to schools and events to reach a broader audience.

Reporting Suspicious Messages and staying Informed

More information and anti-phishing tips can be found on the dedicated safeonweb.be website, where users can also report suspicious messages to the authorities.

According to the latest figures from the Belgian Financial Sector Federation (Belfin), Belgian consumers lost over €39.8 million to phishing schemes in 2022. (Source).

As reported by the Centre for Cybersecurity, around 70% of Belgians have reported receiving phishing messages. (Source).