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What are phishing and hacking

We talk about phishing when a fraudster tries to trick you into giving them sensitive information (username, password, credit card number etc.) which they can later use for fraudulent purposes.

Important: Companies normally never ask for sensitive information by telephone or email, so be suspicious when you get such a phone call or email.

How do you recognize phishing/hacking, and what do you do about it?

Fraudsters send deceptive emails that have the logo or layout of a company. You are asked to enter your details on a website or send them an email. 

Did you receive a suspicious email?
  • Do not open or answer the email.
  • And if you opened it before you realize it's suspicious... Don't click pictures or attachments and don't enter any personal details.
  • Check if the email address of the sender contains a strange domain name (the part after the @). If it does... Delete the email(s) immediately, and then delete them from the trash too.
  • Do not unsubscribe via the email. You might open a fraudulent link.

Did you enter details before you realized something was wrong or are you having other problems with phishing mail?

Phishing via website

Fraudsters create a fake website that contains a company's details. Instead of the real customer service phone number, there is an expensive premium number. They connect your call to the real customer service, but you pay additional costs because you are calling via the premium number.

Phishing via pop-up

More and more fraudsters are using  pop-ups to get your details. You may see such a pop-up when you point your browser to a popular website. They may announce that you have won a contest and that you are eligible for a free smartphone, for example. They say all you have to do is provide your details or complete a brief survey. The fraudsters use the name of other companies, such as BASE. Don't ever fall for this!

Read more about phishing via pop-up.

Sometimes fraudsters try to trick you into giving them your details by telephone. They call you or send a text asking you to send them certain information or take certain steps.

  • A fraudster calls and asks for personal details. Then often call from an 'unknown number'.
  • You get a text asking you to call them back. Usually the number they provide is an expensive premium number.
  • You receive a missed call from abroad, in the hope that you will call back.
  • You get an offer by phone but don't receive a written confirmation. More about telephone scammers (in Dutch of French).
Receive a suspicious phone call?
  • End the call immediately.
  • Do not follow the instructions.
  • Never provide personal details (such as identity information, card numbers, passwords or PIN codes).
  • File a report with the police or submit a complaint to the Ombudsman. They will then contact the authorized provider. BASE cannot start an investigation on its own.
Receive a suspicious text message?
Receive a suspicious text message? Do not follow the instructions and delete the SMS immediately.
 

 

Have you been the victim of a data breach? Chances are your data will end up on the internet, even if you have protected your own devices.

Want to know whether your data was leaked? Check for free at haveibeenpwned.com. 

Change your password

Change the password you use on the hacked platform and for all accounts for which you use the same password.

  • It is best to use a different password for each account.
  • Do not put personal information in your password, such as a date of birth, names of family members and pets, etc.
  • Create a password consisting of various types of characters: capital letters, numbers, symbols, etc.
Report hacking

Hackers are criminals. Therefore, report it at meldpunt.belgie.be and provide as much information as possible about the
cyber attack:

  • When did you notice the attack?
  • What is the source and cause?
  • Which virus was your device infected with, and what are the consequences?
  • Do you use an antivirus program? If so, which?
Tip

Have you been victim of phishing and did you provide personal bank information? Then contact your bank immediately and block your card via Card Stop. Read more about safe internet banking (in Dutch or French).

Phishing/hacking by a BASE customer

Did you notice hacking or the spreading of viruses from a BASE customer on the network? Report it to us via the web form.

Important: BASE can only take action against criminal conduct of BASE customers on the network. If what the BASE customer was doing was not criminal conduct, we provide the information to the provider concerned.