Sometimes the identity of the FPS Finance (or our employees) is used in online or telephone fraud attempts (phishing, scams).
We will explain how you can identify these attempts to prevent you from becoming a victim of fraud. If, nonetheless, you have fallen into the trap, we will tell you which procedure to follow.
Below you will also find a list of the most important cases of fraud which have been reported to us.
How to recognise a fraud attempt?
- The e-mail address of the sender is not an official address of the Federal Public Service Finance.
Official extension: @minfin.fed.be of @news.minfin.fed.be
Other extension? Beware! Frauds sometimes use e-mail addresses very similar to the official one (for example: @minfin.fgov.be, minfin.fed.be@europe.com; @minfin-fed.org ...).
You are being asked to transmit confidential bank information or internet banking data (digipass).
- Too good to be true or totally unexpected:
You suddenly receive a message that you are going to be refunded a certain amount.
You are being requested to settle a debt, but you have no idea what it is about.
- You are being asked to make a payment, but the bank account into which the payment has to be made, is not a bank account of the FPS Finance. There are only a limited number of ways to make a payment to the FPS Finance:
Using MyMinfin.
Transferring the amount to an official account. This account always has the following structure: BEXX 6792 XXXX XXXX.
Visiting one of our offices and making the payment there.
The message you have received contains a lot of spelling and/or language errors.
The person calling you is obtrusive and uses threats to urge you to quickly make a payment.
You receive an e-mail, text message or WhatsApp from a bailiff's office asking you to settle a debt on our behalf. It is true that we cooperate with bailiffs, but they will never send official documents by e-mail, text message or WhatsApp. More tips on fraud attempts by false bailiffs (external website in Dutch/French).
Read more tips on Safeonweb.be.
Do you suspect a fraud attempt?
When in doubt, get in touch with us through our contact form (title: ‘Notification of a phishing attempt’).