Beware of fake text messages, emails or calls (phishing) in name of the Pensions Service!
Scammers are using the name of the Pensions Service to obtain your personal and banking details by phone, text message, email or letter. Do not pass these details on! The scammers will use them to extract money from you.
How do I know whether I am truly dealing with the Pensions Service?
The Pensions Service:
- will always contact you in a secure way:
- by letter to your address.
- through your online pension file at mypension.beOpens in a new window: you can securely log on to www.mypension.be using your eID, itsme or another secured key.
- will never text message you;
- will only request information by phone if:
- you call us on the Pension phone line 1765;
- your phone number is known to the Pensions Service and we want to explain a written question verbally;
- need additional information about a form you have filled in;
- want to assist you with filling in forms or filing a pension application.
- will never email you to obtain personal or banking details. We only reply to general pension questions by email.
- will never send staff members to call at your home;
- will never ask to:
- log onto your online bank by means of your DIGIPASS,
- pass on personal security codes such as the PIN or PUK of your bank card or eID,
- click on a link to receive a payment.
How to communicate securely with the Pensions Service: checklist
Print out our Phishing checklist, keep it close at hand and share it with friends and family.
| Beware of phishing! A scammer pretends to be a Pensions Service staff member |
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| I receive a text message from the Pensions Service or from mypension.be. |
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| A staff member of the Pensions Service calls at my door. |
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| A staff member of the Pensions Service calls me unexpectedly and asks for my secret codes (PIN codes, passwords, ...). |
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| I receive an email from the Pensions Service but I did not ask a question myself. |
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| Careful! You may be getting phished. |
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| I receive an email with a message from mypension.be. | When in doubt, I directly go to https://www.mypension.beOpens in a new window without clicking on the link in the email. |
| I receive an email with a message from My e-box. | When in doubt, I directly go to the platform https://myebox.be/Opens in a new window without clicking on the link in the email. |
| A staff member of the Pensions Service calls me in connection with a question I asked through the contact form. | I see the number +32 2 225 17 65 appear if I have a phone with number recognition. When in doubt, I ask a control question, such as "What are the last 5 digits of my Social Security Number?" |
| Everything OK - no phishing This is not phishing. |
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| I log on to my pension file at www.mypension.be using my eID, itsme or a digital key with a security code. | I can communicate securely with the Pensions Service through mypension.be. |
| I receive a letter mentioning the following details:
Phone: 1765 Contact forms:
Address: Federal Pensions Service |
I can communicate securely with the Pensions Service using these contact details. |
| I call the Pension phone line at 1765. | I can ask all my questions. |
| I have made an appointment at a Pension point through the Pension phone line 1765. | The staff member of the Pensions Service will answer my questions. |
| I ask my questions through the contact form on the Pensions Service website or on mypension.beOpens in a new window. | I can receive an answer by phone if my phone number is known to the Pensions Service. If my phone number is not known, I will receive a written answer. |
Other tips to recognise phishing:
- learn to recognise suspicious emails at safe-on-webOpens in a new window.
- take the phishing testOpens in a new window!
I fell for it, what now?
Did you give your credit or bank card details?
Immediately notify Card Stop at 078 170 170 (+32 78 170 170 from abroad)
Did you click on a fraudulent link and fall victim to a scam?
File a complaint through the online form of the Federal Police.
Letter phishing
Scammers send you a letter that looks like one of ours (logo included). In the letter, they mention information that appears accurate and that can mislead you, such as the pension reform and its effect on your pension.
They invite you to contact the Pensions Service at a mobile phone number instead of at the Pension phone line 1765.
Phone phishing
Phishing on the basis of real information the scammers found on the internet!
Scammers pretend to be staff members of the Pensions Service, the bank or another institution and attempt to convince you to give them personal, financial or security information or money by using real information they found on the internet.
Bonus
Case 1 - vaccinations
Scammers call you and pretend to be mypension.be representatives. They claim you are entitled to a bonus because you were vaccinated and ask your bank account number.
Case 2 - entitlement to a bonus
Scammers call you and claim you are entitled to a bonus. The scammers ask your bank account number or ask to log in with your bank using your DIGIPASS to receive the bonus.
Text message or email phishing
Fake mypension emails or websites
Case 1 - request to re-identify
Scammers send you an email in name of mypension.be and claim there is an issue with your personal details.
They state you should not log on at mypension.be to rectify your personal details and instead ask to do so by means of the link in the email. They press you to do so before a certain date.
But the scammers do not stop there! If you did not fall for it the first time, they will send you a reminder a few days later. In this second email, they threaten discontinuation of the mypension.be services if you do not click on the link.
Case 2 - request to verify your bank details
Scammers send an email in name of mypension.be and claim there is a problem with your automatic payments, due to which you may not receive your payments in time.
The scammers ask to keep your bank details (IBAN, BIC, name of the account holder) at hand and to click on a link to verify these details. They urge you to do so quickly.
Case 3 - new document available
Scammers send an email in name of mypension.be claiming that you have received a new document at mypension.be. They ask to click on a link to view the document.
This link gives the scammers access to your details. These fake emails are so well-designed that it is nearly impossible to distinguish them from real emails.
You receive an email from mypension.be? To avoid getting scammed, it is best to go to www.mypension.be without clicking on any links! Type the address www.mypension.be in your browser's address bar. This will take you to the real mypension.be homepage.
Pension reform
Scammers send emails containing real information about the pension reform. We were informed of two cases:
- The email advises you to keep up with the latest pension reform news by means of a new newsletter. The subject line could for example read 'Agreement on the pension reform'. A fake link will take you to a fake online pension file.
- The email contains real information about the pension reform. The contents are correct because they were copied from our website or from mypension.be. The links to the available information, however, are fake.
Do not open these links!
Pension increment or allocation
Scammers send a text message or email in name of mypension.be, claiming that your pension increment or allocation is available and encouraging you to click on a link to receive the payment.
Fake reimbursement
Scammers send text messages in name of one or other government service (for example the Federal Pensions Service, the Federal Public Service Finance, ...). The text messages contain a link on which you have to click to receive the reimbursement, or so they claim.
Holiday allowance
Scammers send you a text message or email asking for your bank details so that they can pay your holiday allowance. The scammers also ask you to log onto your bank account using your DIGIPASS to receive your payment.
Regularization fee
Scammers send you a text message or email saying that you may be entitled to a 'regularization fee' of 12 to 18 euros a day as a support measure during the COVID-19 crisis. To check whether you qualify and how much you will receive, you are encouraged to click on a link.