ABBL - The Luxembourg Banker's Association

How to recognise scams?

Scams are more and more sophisticated, and can take very different forms. Here is how to recognize most online scams:

Someone you don't know sends you a message (email, social networks, instant messaging, etc.).
You are offered to make money fast and without risk, with phrases like "100% guaranteed", "same day money" and "legal money".
You are told that other people have already made a lot of money doing the same thing.
The scammer ends up asking you for your bank account number, for one reason or another.
Read the list of the most frequent scams.

Here is an infographic from the European Banking Federation to help you recognise a banking scam and protect yourself.

Always be suspicious when someone contacts you by email or on social media promising you easy money, or claiming to be from your bank
Have you received a suspicious email? Don't click on any of the links or attachments it contains.
If you receive a call from a number you don't know pretending to be your bank, hang up. If in doubt, always hang up and then call your bank's customer service.
Avoid connecting to public, free and open wifi.
Make regular updates on your computer or smartphone.

Prefer to use a national site. In case of problems, it will be easier to find a solution.
Before you buy from a website you don't know, check to see if there are any reviews on that site.
Wherever possible, it is better to use your credit card. It will be easier to get reimbursed if necessary. If the site requires payment by wire transfer, think twice.
If the product does not arrive and the seller does not respond, contact your bank.