A Dutch version of this article was previously published in Libelle
"I never imagined this could happen to my mother. Of course, you read frightening stories about scammers in the newspaper now and then. And when you open your banking app, you’re constantly warned as well. But I was mainly focused on making sure I wouldn't fall for it myself. I manage all my mother’s banking affairs, so it simply didn’t occur to me that scammers would target her."
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle"},{"componentType":"paragraph","title":"Alarm bells","richBody":{"value":""When I heard her story, the alarm bells rang immediately. My mother said she had been called by someone claiming to work at ING’s head office, saying that a criminal gang was active in the area. To prevent anything from happening, they said they would send someone round to collect her bank card. She also mentioned that she had accidentally shared her PIN. Was that serious?
I found it very strange that someone would ask for her card. A bank never comes to your home to collect cards. I opened the banking app on my phone straight away, but it was already too late. €500 had been withdrawn from a cash machine near her home, and gift cards worth €750 had been bought twice."
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle"},{"componentType":"paragraph","title":"Blocking the card","richBody":{"value":""I immediately called ING’s Hotline to explain what had happened. The card was blocked straight away, which prevented any further money being taken. I also contacted the police so my mother could report the incident.
Fortunately, the bank was very understanding and flexible. In the end, my mother got all of her money back, which I don’t think can be taken for granted."
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle"},{"componentType":"paragraph","title":"Daily limit reduced","richBody":{"value":""As a precaution, we’ve now lowered the daily withdrawal limit on my mother’s card, so not too much money can be taken out at once. Even so, I notice that the incident still affects her. She sleeps badly, feels guilty, is ashamed and is angry with herself. While it’s the scammers who should be ashamed. It’s hard to see your mother like this. She’s also become more suspicious. Recently, someone rang the doorbell with a parcel and she shouted, ‘Go away, I’m not opening the door.’
Personally, I’m mostly angry at the scammers. How can you even think of it? Robbing an elderly woman who can barely walk and has worked hard all her life for her money? The money itself didn’t upset me the most, but the idea that people can be so cruel makes me sad."
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle"},{"componentType":"paragraph","title":"Stay alert","richBody":{"value":"Scammers often pretend to be bank employees, claiming there is something wrong with your account. Remember:
If you’re unsure about a caller, hang up and contact your bank directly to report it.
"}},{"componentType":"linkList","iconTitle":{"icon":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/f52818ae-9791-4ef7-9799-d3f991c2e3b4/Functionalities-Lock_Confirmation_Outline","type":"image","width":32,"altTextNL":"\"\"","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/5b979bd44d912a17/original/Functionalities-Lock_Confirmation_Outline.svg","extension":"svg"},"title":"Safe banking"},"textLinks":[{"url":"/en/bank/safe-banking/report-fraud","text":"Report fraud to the Hotline"},{"url":"/de-ing/veilig-bankieren/soorten-oplichting-fraude","text":"More types of scams and fraud"},{"url":"https://zowerktfraude.nl/","text":"Recognising & preventing fraud"},{"url":"/en/bank/safe-banking/5-bs/update-your-browser-and-operating-system","text":"Which browser, even with screen reader"}]}]}}}