{"type":"document","data":{"id":"7ae29c8c-3889-468b-8e61-fddf3a27a191","localeString":"en-GB","publishDate":"2026-02-27T15:54:06.340+01:00","contentType":"onecms:productPage","hasMacro":false,"flexPageMetadata":{"afmBanner":false,"robotInstruction":{"noIndex":false,"noFollow":false},"description":"How to recognise and prevent friend in need scams via email and social media."},"mainHeaderZone":{"componentType":"productHeader","coreHeader":{"body":"Scams via WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram or other social media – also known as help request scams – are increasingly common. The scammer pretends to be someone you know and asks for help: “Can you advance me some money? I can’t pay right now.” Don’t do it: you won’t get your money back.","headerImage":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/28c6dcde-dd64-4d87-be72-781c44489afb/Young-woman-using-mobile-phone-at-camera","type":"image","width":6000,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/700b2a508879009d/original/Young-woman-using-mobile-phone-at-camera.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"title":"Friend in need scam via social media"},"backLink":{"textLink":{"url":"/en/bank/safe-banking/types-of-fraud-and-scam/index-fraud-forms","text":"Types of scam and fraud"}}},"flexZone":{"flexComponents":[{"componentType":"paragraph","title":"How to recognise friend in need scams","richBody":{"value":"<p>Scammers often search the internet and social media for information about you before they strike. They may also use details you’ve shared after falling for a phishing email. By mentioning personal details in the conversation, they gain your trust. Then they try to prevent you from questioning whether the situation is genuine.</p><p>The scam often unfolds like this:</p><ul><li>You receive a message from an unknown number via WhatsApp or SMS. Or you get a message via email or social media such as Facebook, Messenger or Instagram.</li><li>The person claims to be someone you know. Sometimes the profile photo is actually of that person.</li><li>They ask you to transfer money quickly.</li><li>They say they can’t pay themselves due to issues with online banking, a broken app, a lost bank card, etc.</li><li>The message may include personal information to gain your trust.</li><li>They often say you can’t call them at the moment.</li></ul><p>Below, you see an example of a friend in need scam via Whatsapp.</p>"},"alignedImage":{"position":"bottom","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/36495543-f145-4b0c-95bb-b3532480d504/Hulpvraagoplichting-via-whatsapp","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/4a8770da6ba829b0/original/Hulpvraagoplichting-via-whatsapp.jpg","extension":"jpg"}},{"componentType":"paragraph","title":"Check, double-check","richBody":{"value":"<p>If you receive such a message, alarm bells should ring. Never transfer money to an unfamiliar account number – chances are you’ll lose it.</p><ul><li>Call the person who’s supposedly asking for help (using their old phone number), or better yet: wait until you see them in person.</li><li>Be extra cautious if someone claims to have a new phone number in a message or SMS.</li><li>The message may also come from a familiar phone number, email address, Facebook account, etc. These may have been hijacked or hacked by scammers.</li></ul>"}},{"componentType":"paragraph","title":"Why does the scammer know so much about you?","richBody":{"value":"<p>There’s often a lot of information about you available on social media – not just via your own profile, but also through friends and family. Check the following on your own social media profiles:</p><ul><li>Is your profile photo visible to everyone? If so, scammers can easily copy it.</li><li>Is your account private? If not, anyone can view your profile – including your phone number.</li><li>Do you use the same password for all your accounts? If your password has been leaked, scammers can log in anywhere.</li></ul>"}},{"componentType":"paragraph","title":"How to prevent friend in need scams","richBody":{"value":"<ul><li>Align with friends and family on how you’ll get in touch if you’re ever truly in financial trouble. Tip: use a real (video) call. And remember: if you haven’t spoken to them, don’t send money.</li><li>Restrict access to your social media information for strangers. Think about your profile photo, your profile details, updates, photos, phone number or email address.</li><li>Enable two-step verification for WhatsApp. You’ll need to enter an extra code when activating WhatsApp on a new phone. This prevents scammers from taking over your account.</li><li>Use different passwords for all your accounts and change them regularly. This helps prevent scammers from accessing your accounts to gather information or hack them. See <a data-type=\"internal\" href=\"/en/bank/safe-banking/5-bs/how-strong-is-your-password\">our article on passwords</a> for practical tips about strong passwords and remembering them.</li></ul>"}},{"componentType":"paragraph","title":"Have you been scammed? Report it immediately!","richBody":{"value":"<ul><li>If you’ve transferred money to a scammer, contact our emergency line as soon as possible.</li><li>If you’ve received a scam message via WhatsApp, click ‘Report’ in WhatsApp. The conversation will no longer be visible. Want to keep the content for a police report? Take a screenshot first.</li><li>Want to talk to others who’ve experienced the same? Visit <a href=\"https://www.slachtofferhulp.nl/english/\">Slachtofferhulp Nederland</a> to connect with others online. Slachtofferhulp also offers tips and emotional support after a scam. </li></ul>"}},{"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"}]}]}}}