A recent survey by consumer rights organisation Test Achats has revealed alarming statistics about the growing prevalence of phishing scams in Belgium.
According to the findings, 86% of Belgians have encountered at least one phishing attempt, with fraudsters stealing an average of €860 per victim.
Despite the widespread nature of these scams, fewer than 1% of victims who report the incidents to the police recover their stolen funds.
Phishing scams, which often involve fraudsters impersonating trusted figures such as family members, romantic partners, or even charities, have become a major concern for Belgian citizens.
The survey found that 60% of phishing incidents are related to financial fraud, with around a third of cases resulting in actual monetary losses. In many cases, victims reported losing hundreds of euros, with the average loss pegged at €860.
Surprisingly, only half of the victims seek assistance, with many opting to handle the situation independently.
A lack of awareness and information appears to contribute to the reluctance to seek help, as just 54% of respondents reported feeling adequately informed on how to address such incidents.
While 30% of victims reached out to the police, their experiences varied significantly. The survey showed that half of these individuals were informed that their complaints would be investigated, but no further updates were provided, leaving them in the dark.
Another 14% were told that their case would not be pursued, while 9% reported hearing nothing after lodging their complaint. Even more concerning is that less than 1% of those who reported their cases to the police were able to recover the stolen money.
Test Achats has highlighted a critical gap in victim support, emphasizing that the lack of clear, coordinated procedures contributes to the low number of individuals who seek help.
Only 37% of respondents knew where to turn for assistance, and just 24% believed that social media platforms were doing enough to protect their users from cybercrime.
In response to these issues, Test Achats and its umbrella organisation, Euroconsumers, are advocating for the establishment of national fraud hubs.
These centres would serve as a central point of contact for scam victims, coordinating efforts between law enforcement, banks, telecom operators, online platforms, and victim support services.
The aim would be to help victims recover stolen funds, offer psychological support, and ensure that they have a clear path to assistance when confronted with fraud.
Julie Frère, spokesperson for Test Achats, emphasized the need for a single point of assistance.
“Instead of leaving victims to juggle various stakeholders – police, banks, online platforms, telecom operators – in a solitary journey to obtain help and redress, we are calling for a single point of assistance.
This would provide the specialist approach that victims of fraud need, including to deal with the shame and emotional impact that often accompany fraud,” Frère said.
As phishing scams continue to rise, experts warn that without a more structured response and improved public awareness, Belgians will remain vulnerable to fraudsters.
The proposed fraud hubs aim to offer a much-needed lifeline for victims, providing them with the support and resources to navigate the complex process of recovery.
