Cybercrime: It’s not a question of if you’ll encounter it, but when
Two out of three people are targeted by an attempted cybercrime every year. By posing as a familiar sender—such as a package delivery service or a government agency—or by luring you with attractive deals, they steal your money or personal information. They do this through phishing emails, but online criminals are also increasingly showing up outside your inbox: through counterfeit QR codes on parking meters and charging stations, for example, or by posing as a bank employee who asks you to transfer money or log in online. So always take a moment to think. Does this make sense? Is this real? And when in doubt: click away. Don’t let yourself be scammed.
Online criminals are getting smarter all the time
Online crime is becoming increasingly difficult to detect. This is because online criminals are using the latest technologies. The misuse of AI, for example, makes online crime seem more credible. They are also increasingly using personal data obtained from data breaches. This allows them to target you more precisely.
Always count to three
There are always the same warning signs that can help you recognize when something is off. For example, online criminals always pressure you to pay or click quickly—perhaps by offering a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity or by posing as someone you know who’s in trouble. This time pressure prevents you from thinking critically. So, is it really necessary to act so quickly?
So always take three seconds to think: Is this right? Is this real? And if you did end up paying something or clicking on a link from online criminals, always file a report with the police. In many cases, you can do this online. Filing a report helps stop the perpetrators and prevent this from happening to others. Reporting suspicious messages—for example, to the Fraud Help Desk—also helps in this regard.
Don't let yourself be taken advantage of
"Don't Get Scammed" is a campaign by the Ministry of Justice and Security and the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations that helps Dutch citizens recognize online scams . For more information, visit laatjenietinterneppen.nl.