What should you do in the event of credit card fraud in Belgium?

Credit card fraud in Belgium can disrupt an individual's daily life. But if you are reading this article as a professional, be aware that it can also disrupt yours, potentially even weakening your company's cash flow. A suspicious payment appears on a statement, a transaction slips past your control, and you must quickly understand what happened in order to react.

You still need to know the procedures applicable in Belgium and which contacts to reach out to. Beyond the disputed transaction, it is also about your ability to limit losses and prevent further incidents.

What is credit card fraud?

Credit card fraud consists of the fraudulent use of a card or its details to carry out payment transactions without the cardholder's authorization.

It can occur after the theft or copying of banking information, a hacked account, or a phishing attempt that tricks the victim into sharing their data. The fraudster can then make online purchases or attempt to misappropriate funds.

In Belgium, figures show that credit card fraud remains a very widespread scam. 

• According to the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA), Belgians are among the European populations most exposed to banking fraud.
  
  
• Furthermore, a study conducted in 2025 by Selvitys, in partnership with Finovox, reveals that 28% of Belgian companies identify the credit card as the most frequently forged document within their organization.

What are the different forms of credit card fraud in Belgium?

The main forms of credit card fraud identified in Belgium are: 

Phishing: fraudsters impersonate a trusted organization to trick you into sharing your banking details, often via email.

The fake bank advisor fraud: It usually starts with a phone call. Under the pretext of securing your account or blocking a suspicious transaction, a fake bank advisor will try to obtain your codes, get you to authorize a payment, or retrieve your physical card.

Card theft: some thieves watch you enter your PIN, then steal your card to withdraw cash or make payments. This can happen at an ATM.

Ghost tapping (or contactless bank card fraud): fraudsters use a portable payment terminal or NFC technology to try and charge your bank card or mobile wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay) without your knowledge.

Online banking data theft: your payment information can be stolen following a data breach, a hacked merchant site, or a compromised device. Fraudsters can then use this information to make remote purchases.

Skimming (or physical hacking): a fraudulent device placed on a reader copies your card data during a payment or withdrawal. This technique targets ATMs and payment terminals, such as those at gas stations.

What should you do in the event of bank card fraud?

When a business bank card is used without authorization, every minute counts to limit the risks. 

Follow these steps to secure company accounts and report the fraud:

1. Block the card and compromised access (via the official Card Stop number in Belgium or by contacting your bank directly).
   
   
2. Notify your bank (identify unauthorized payments and dispute them promptly).
   
   
3. Gather evidence (keep bank statements, dates and amounts of the disputed transactions, as well as any SMS, emails, invoices, or screenshots related to the incident).
   
   
4. File a police report (you can go to a local police station or file a report online when the procedure allows).
   
   
5. Report the fraud online (if the fraud occurred online, report the platform or communication involved to the address suspect@safeonweb.be).
   
   
6. Monitor accounts and secure access (regularly check bank statements, change access credentials, and enable two-factor authentication where available).

What are the reimbursement procedures in Belgium?

In the event of credit card fraud in Belgium, the bank is generally required to reimburse unauthorized payments according to the conditions set out in Book VII of the Code of Economic Law.

However, intentional misconduct or gross negligence on the part of the cardholder may result in financial liability.

Note: for business clients, the contractual terms agreed upon with the bank may modify the applicable rules.

How can you prevent the risks of hacking and credit card fraud?

To limit the risks of credit card fraud within your company, adopt a few simple habits starting today.

Educate your employees about phishing, secure access to business accounts, and verify any unusual payment requests. 

These precautions can be supplemented by a fraud detection tool. Available in Belgium, the document verification software Finovox allows you to analyze all types of documents, including bank statements. To learn more, contact our experts!