Scammers have recently phoned thousands of people in the Netherlands looking for BSN numbers. Numerous students and faculty members at TU/e have also reported receiving such calls, and one student has sadly already been victimized. ” This call is to tell you that your BSN number is being used in a legal process. Please send your BSN number to the following address: “What choices do you have if you receive a concerning phone call?
In case you get such a call you should at once end such a call. If the caller claims to be from a bank or the police, get the caller’s name and contact the organization directly, requesting to speak with that individual again. A bank, the police, or any other government entity, on the other hand, would never ask for your credit card information or require you to install software on your computer or phone.
They Pretend to be from National Police
Callers frequently impersonate the ‘National Police’ or the ‘Dutch Supreme Court.’ They may claim that your BSN is being used fraudulently or that you have been presented with an arrest warrant. They’ll connect you to an “agent” once you provide them with your phone number. This agent would want to receive further information or conduct a money transfer. The caller may even ask you to download and install a “remote help” tool on your computer. They can use that application to access your computer and steal your bank account information, passwords, or credit card details.
What are their plans with this information?
While this type of personal information is commonly used to perpetrate identity theft, it may also boost the credibility of a hoax. If the caller has your SSN or IBAN, you may assume they are from the police or the bank.
Who are the people that use this innovative Scam?
These are primarily transnational cybercriminal gangs who collaborate to defraud and extort money from individuals. While many Dutch cybercriminals are from Africa or Eastern Europe and speak little English, some speak fluent Dutch and look trustworthy.
How does it work?
You receive a call, and if you agree, scammers will attempt to persuade you to pay money, for example, to protect your funds or defuse a fraud investigation. Furthermore, the person on the other end of the line is unlikely to propose that you install an application on your computer to obtain “remote support.” They can then use that application to access your computer and steal your bank account, passwords, and credit card information.
What are their plans with this information?
While this type of personal information is commonly used to perpetrate identity theft, it may also boost the credibility of a hoax. You could assume it’s the police or the bank if the person on the other end of the phone has your social security or IBAN.
In case you receive such a call
If you get a call like this, you should immediately end the conversation. If the person on the other end of the phone claims to be from the bank or the police, you should ask for their identity and return the call. A bank, the police, or any other government body, on the other hand, will never ask you for payment information or allow someone to install software on your computer or phone.”