Frequently asked questions about internet crime

• Internet security
• Safety check
• Questions

Frequently asked questions about internet crime

• What is a money mule, and how are they recruited?

  Criminals use third-party account numbers to make it harder for the authorities to trace their identities. Someone who provides criminals with such a cover is called a money mule. 

  Criminals recruit money mules in a variety of ways. Mostly on the Internet, through emails and on job sites. 

  • Email
    These emails often try to make the recipient believe he is offered an easy way to make some money by letting someone use his bank account and bank card, or by passing on an incoming payment. An example is an email that says that you have won some kind of lottery, and that you have to submit your bank account number to claim your prize. Another example is an email in which a company states that it wants to deposit money into your account in order to evade taxation.  
    
  • Job site
    Another recruitment method used is posting fake jobs on job sites, where these jobs generally promise good money for very little effort. Criminals then often stress that bank account details are needed for legitimate reasons or even charity, and that everything is above board.  

  Serious consequences
  You must never let third parties you do not know use your bank account. That could leave your account open to abuse for illegal ends. And if that happens, you will also be incriminated, which can have serious consequences. Possible damages can, for example, be recouped from you, your relation with the bank can be rescinded, or your financial offence may be registered, meaning that you would end up with a criminal record.

• How can I recognize a fake (phishing) website?

  If you are not sure you have got the right website in front of you, check the exact internet address of the site. ABN AMRO’s URL is http://*.abnamro.nl/ or https://*.abnamro.nl/ (in combination with the certificate), with the asterisk representing any random word. If the address of the site you are on does not match this format, and reads 'abnarmo', for example, your have literally come to the wrong address, and should break the connection with this website. To make sure you go to the right URL, you can always type it in the address bar directly. That way you will avoid being taken to a fake address through a misleading banner or link.

• How can I check whether my Internet connection is secure?

  The procedure to check whether your Internet connection is secure differs per browser. The following provides instructions for the most common browsers.

   

  Internet Explorer 6.0:

  Double click on the yellow padlock in the status bar at the bottom of the screen. The status bar in Internet Explorer may be deactivated. The padlock will then not show. Activate the status bar as follows:

  • Click on View on the menu bar in Internet Explorer.
  • Tick ‘Status bar’.      

  

   

  The Certificate screen has to clearly state that the certificate was issued to *.abnamro.nl.

   

  

   

  Internet Explorer 7:

  Click on the yellow padlock next to the address bar.

   

  

   

  Check the certificate to see whether the website is identified as: *.abnamro.nl

  
   

  

   

  Firefox 2.0:
  

  Click on the padlock in the bottom of the screen, or next to the address bar.

  
   

  

   

  or

  
   

  

  
  Click on View Certificates on the Security tab.

  
   

  

   

  In the View Certificates screen,  *.abnamro.nl has to be clearly listed in the Issued To column.

  

  
  Safari:

  
  Click on the padlock in the top right corner of the screen.

  
   

  

  
  Check on the certificate whether it comes from *.abnamro.nl.

  
   

  

  * The asterisk represents any random word.

   

• How can I recognize a fraudulent email message?

  You should be aware of the fact that it is not difficult for criminals to imitate email messages. Always be aware of that. But it is still possible to spot fraudulent email messages. Cyber criminals often put alarming, attractive or exciting subjects in their emails. This is intended to trigger an impulsive response from you, leading you to supply the information they are after. So be sure to always take your time to check the email. In case of doubt it is best not to respond. If you still want to reply, first check whether the email is genuine by contacting the company that appears to be the sender. By phone, for example.

  Note! ABN AMRO will never ask for confidential details, such as your PIN, by email or through a pop-up window.
  

  
   

• Should I keep sensitive information secret?

  Always be extremely careful when someone asks you for sensitive information. ABN AMRO will never do so by email! This kind of information concerns account numbers, bank/credit card numbers, PIN and address details. With ABN AMRO, you can be sure your personal details and security are always treated with utmost confidentiality. We also strongly recommend that you never share user names, passwords and PIN with others.
  

• How can I make secure payments online?

  ABN AMRO has a long tradition in the area of secure payments. Check the frequently asked questions about security and Internet Banking for the technology ABN AMRO uses, and how you can add to online security.

• What is phishing?

  Phishing is a form of internet fraud. It involves fraudsters attempting to get hold of personal information. This happens by way of misleading emails that seem to originate from companies and banks, or through imitation websites. Such an email will, for example, ask you for your login details, bank card and/or credit card information, PIN code or national insurance number. Fraudsters want to gather as much of your personal information as possible, so that they can pass themselves off as you.

  An example: after fraudsters have got hold of your email address, you receive an email that seems to come from a company or bank you have a relationship with. This email looks authentic: it uses the usual layout and symbols, such as a company logo, and the content of the email closely resembles the communication you normally have with the imitated company. These emails sometimes include clever tricks to get you to respond: they stress that you should click on the link in the email as soon as possible, because otherwise your account will be cancelled or you will miss out on a special promotion. Clicking on the link in the email will take you to a phishing website. On this website, you will be asked to enter personal details. And these details are subsequently used by criminals, for example to make transactions in your name. 

  Advice: always be suspicious of any request for personal details, because being alert will keep you on your toes, and make it less likely that you are misled. To prevent falling victim to phishing, you should also take a number of technical precautions. These are described in the frequently asked questions about Internet Banking security.

• What is pharming?

  Just like phishing, pharming is a way of retrieving your sensitive (personal) data, such as your password or credit card number, which is subsequently used by cyber criminals. Pharming does not use emails, but only specifically designed fake websites, which you end up on without noticing. Such a website looks exactly the same as the original version. Even if you have entered the right internet address (URL), you can be taken to a perfectly recreated copy of the website you wanted to surf to. The internet address is then, as it were, hijacked by people with malicious intent. Again, being alert is key. Be sure to also read the other questions on this page.

• How can I report possible internet crime?

  If you have a suspicion of internet crime, please report it using the online form (in dutch) below. Internet crime can include the following:

  • A request to submit bank details
  • Logging on to your bank account on a fake website
  • A request to collaborate in an ‘update’ of the Internet Banking system
  • Installing software for Internet Banking    
• How can I report online fraud?

  If have you have become the victim of online shopping fraud, you should report this to the police. You cannot use the internet crime reporting form to report a case of online fraud.

• Where can I find further information?

  For tips and information from the authorities about secure internet use, you can go to: 
  
  - http://www.3xkloppen.nl 
  - http://www.veiligbankieren.nl/
  - http://www.digibewust.nl 
  - http://wordgeenmoneymule.nl
  - http://waarschuwingsdienst.nl 
  

• Read this page
• Send this page
• Print this page