As scams become more sophisticated, experts urge caution and vigilance to protect against phishing and other fraudulent activities.
On Thursday morning, our colleagues from RTL Radio aired a special programme focused on the various forms of scams circulating at the moment. The guests were Aline Hartz, psychologist at Bee Secure, and Tim Pauly, a member of the police's National Crime Prevention Service.
The programme covered a range of fraudulent activities, including scams, phishing, door-to-door selling, and more, offering advice on how to protect oneself. Experts answered questions from both listeners and readers during the show.
Phishing attacks saw a sharp rise in 2023, with 1,300 cases reported by police, and this trend has continued into 2024. Pauly noted that not only has the volume of attacks increased, but so has the variety, with fraud attempts now arriving through email, text, phone calls, and other channels. Bee Secure alone has opened more than 300 cases related to phishing.
One of the key challenges is the growing sophistication of fraudsters. Advances in artificial intelligence have allowed criminals to improve their tactics, with messages now written in near-perfect Luxembourgish, and multimedia elements–such as photos, videos, and even voices–sounding more convincing. Fraudsters also take their time, skillfully targeting emotional triggers in their victims and applying pressure when necessary.
How can people protect themselves against these attacks? Experts agree that it is nearly impossible to completely avoid being targeted. Even the police receive phishing emails and fraudulent calls.
One useful resource is Spambee.lu, a Luxembourg-based platform for reporting spam. While phone numbers and emails can be blocked, Pauly explained that scammers quickly change their contact details, making blocking less effective.
However, vigilance and awareness can help prevent falling victim to phishing, scams, and other fraudulent schemes.
Both Pauly and Aline Hartz stressed that the key to avoiding scams is to double-check everything and remain cautious–better to be overly suspicious than not suspicious enough. This is especially true when it comes to sharing bank details. It's also important to consult with trusted people in your network, as they may help spot potential red flags. Information on how to protect yourself is available on both the police and Bee Secure websites.
If you fall victim to a scam, Pauly advises that you should report it. "You really shouldn’t feel ashamed," he said. Once a fraudulent transaction has been confirmed, it is often very difficult to recover the money. Unfortunately, tracking down online scammers can be a challenge for law enforcement. Scammers typically operate from overseas, often from another continent, making international cooperation with foreign authorities particularly complex.
