The Belgian railways, NMBS, have issued a warning to travelers about fake promotions being circulated on social media by scammers. These fraudsters are using false reports to trick victims into providing personal data, including bank information. At least three Facebook messages claim that NMBS is offering a gift card for just two euros to travelers who complete a questionnaire, allowing them to travel for free throughout Belgium for a year. However, despite some claims in the comments that the offer is valid, it is not and scammers are using this as an opportunity to obtain sensitive information from their victims.
Travelers are advised not to respond to these messages and only rely on communication through official channels. Bart Crols, spokesperson for the NMBS, warns that travelers should be cautious of unexpected or irrelevant communication and offers that seem unlikely or unusual. The railway company will never request personal information on an unsecured webpage.
The NMBS has filed a complaint with authorities and social media platforms but the misleading messages continue to circulate. It’s important for travelers to be vigilant and report any suspicious messages to the appropriate authorities. Travelers should also be careful when sharing personal information online and never respond to unsolicited offers that ask for sensitive data such as bank details or credit card numbers.