Over the last few months there has been a noticeable increase in the number of fraudulent emails or texts targeting Luxembourg residents.

In response to a parliamentary question submitted by Pirates MP Marc Goergen, the government confirmed it had observed a large number of phishing attempts targeting customers of Luxembourg banks - a fact backed up by online watchdog Bee Secure, which also noted an increase in fraudulent online activities. Emails purporting to be from the Post group, various banks, social security and even the police have been reported in recent weeks.

The ministers concerned - Franz Fayot, Yuriko Backes and Paulette Lenert, at the time the question was submitted - said that in many cases, fraudulent payments had been stopped and bank transfers recovered from the scammers. However, they noted that successful actions were only made possible through victims reporting the incident as quickly as possible. "Post Finance therefore recommends that its customers report any potential fraud immediately, and encourages them to file police complaints," the parliamentary response added.

Legally speaking, victims of scams can be compensated for payments made without their consent; however, the issue is nuanced, as phishing scams usually convince victims to carry out the transactions themselves. In specific cases such as these, compensation is not obligatory, although the EU is working to strengthen laws against scams.

For more advice on staying safe from phishing scams in Luxembourg, consult the Bee Secure website.