Have you received a message telling you that you have won a prize in a game of chance, or inviting you to play via a link or an app? Be careful, as it could be a scam.

Scammers use emails, text messages, or app notifications to trick you into clicking a link, downloading an app, or sharing your personal information (such as login details, passwords, bank details etc.) so they can use it for fraudulent purposes. Their goal is to extort money from you or steal your information.

In Belgium, only operators with an official license from the Gaming Commission are permitted to operate games of chance.

A licensed operator will never announce a prize without prior participation and will never ask you to pay fees to receive a prize. Such messages are therefore usually fraudulent.

On the website of the FPS Economy, you can find an overview of the different types of scams, along with advice on how to distinguish genuine offers from fraudulent ones, as well as how to react.

Have you lost money or shared your bank details with scammers?

1. If you have shared your credit or bank card details, notify Card Stop immediately at 078 170 170 (+32 78 170 170 from abroad) to block your cards.
2. Contact your bank immediately so that the payment(s) and, if necessary, your bank account can be blocked.
3. If you find that money has indeed been stolen from your bank account, file a complaint with the local police.
4. Forward the suspicious message (email or text message) to suspect@safeonweb.be to block the URL of the suspicious website and prevent further victims.
5. If you paid by credit card, fill in a dispute form on macarte.be to report an unauthorised payment transaction via your credit card.

If money has been taken from your account without your consent, you may request a refund from your bank in case of phishing. This refund is subject to certain conditions.