Fraud takes many forms, and knowing how each scheme works is the first step to protecting yourself. This article covers the most common types of fraud you may encounter in payment and banking environments, from phishing emails to fake job offers and push payment scams.
Creation of demo accounts
In some organised fraud schemes, fake job offers are posted online advertising a role to test bank accounts. These accounts are then misused for money laundering. Neither Accountable nor Swan offers "demo accounts" or product testing jobs. If you come across a job offer like this, report it to the Fraudehelpdesk (fraudehelpdesk.be) or via safeonweb.be.
Phishing
Phishing is a fraudulent attempt made via email to steal your personal information or login credentials. The fraudster impersonates a trusted organisation, such as a bank, payment provider, or government agency, and tricks you into clicking a malicious link or filling in a fake form.
How to recognise it:
Unexpected emails asking you to verify your account or confirm a payment
Links that look similar to official websites but have slight differences (e.g. acc0untable.eu)
A sense of urgency: "Your account will be blocked within 24 hours"
Fraud using stolen card details and OTP codes
This scheme combines data theft with phone-based social engineering, and is currently on the rise during the summer holiday period. It works in four steps:
Data theft: Fraudsters obtain card details or login credentials from fake emails or websites (often copying well-known brands like Amazon or Relais Colis), from data leaks, or by buying stolen data online.
Small test payments: They use this data to make one or two small payments, small enough that no extra security check is triggered.
The phone call: They call and pretend to work for Accountable or Swan. They point to those small payments, describe them as "suspicious", and ask for your one-time verification code (OTP).
The theft: They use that code to add the card to their own digital wallet (such as Apple Pay or Google Pay), then spend the money.
How to spot it: the text message containing the code will say it is for adding a card to a wallet, not for blocking a payment.
⚠️ Important:
Passwords and OTPs are strictly confidential. No one from Swan or Accountable will ever ask for them, by phone, email, or any other channel.
Never say a security code out loud, not to a person, not to an automated system. If someone asks for a code over the phone, it is a scam. Hang up immediately.
Only type codes directly into Accountable or the payment screen. Codes must never be read aloud, sent by text, or shared in any other way, even with someone claiming to be from Accountable or Swan support.
Smishing
Smishing is phishing carried out via SMS text message. You may receive a text claiming to be from your bank, a delivery company, or a government body, asking you to click a link or call a number.
How to recognise it:
Unexpected text messages with links asking you to log in or confirm details
Messages claiming a package is on hold or a payment failed
Short sender numbers or numbers you do not recognise
Vishing
Vishing is phishing carried out via phone call or voicemail. The caller pretends to be from a bank, technical support, or a government agency to extract sensitive information or pressure you into making a transfer. Caller ID can be spoofed to display a legitimate number.
How to recognise it:
Unexpected calls claiming there is suspicious activity on your account
Someone asking for your passcode, PIN, or full card number over the phone
High pressure to act immediately or transfer funds urgently
⚠️ Important: Accountable and Swan will never ask for your passcode, PIN, or full card details over the phone or by email. If someone does, hang up and contact us immediately. |
Authorised Push Payment (APP) fraud
In APP fraud, you are manipulated into voluntarily making a payment to a fraudster's account. The scammer typically impersonates a supplier, landlord, or even your bank, and provides fake account details for a legitimate-looking payment.
How to recognise it:
A contact you trust suddenly sends you new payment details by email or message
You are asked to make an urgent or one-off payment to a new account
Someone posing as your bank asks you to move funds to a "safe account"
Identity fraud
Identity fraud occurs when someone uses your personal data, such as your name, address, or identification documents, to open accounts, take out credit, or make purchases in your name without your knowledge.
How to recognise it:
Unexpected account statements, bills, or credit agreements you do not recognise
Being refused credit for no apparent reason
Unfamiliar transactions appearing on your account
Caller fraud: posing as advisors
Fraudsters can pose as Accountable advisors, either by calling you directly or by setting up fake phone numbers that look like ours. They can be very convincing. At some point, they transfer you to an "automated verification step" and ask you to say your login credentials out loud.
How to recognise it:
Accountable never asks you to verify your identity by saying credentials out loud.
Accountable does not use automated verification steps that ask for login information over the phone.
Online purchase fraud
This type of fraud involves fake online shops or listings where goods are never delivered after payment, or where counterfeit items are sent instead. It often occurs on social media marketplaces or fake websites.
How to recognise it:
Prices that seem too good to be true
Sellers who only accept bank transfers and refuse secure payment methods
No verifiable contact details or physical address for the seller
💡 For tips on what to do if you suspect fraud or how to protect your account, read our article:Tips to handle potential fraud |
Key takeaways
Accountable and Swan will never ask for your password, PIN, or OTP code by phone, email, or any other channel.
If someone calls claiming to be from Accountable or Swan and asks for a security code, hang up immediately.
Always verify new payment details through a trusted channel before making a transfer.
Report suspicious job offers or fraud attempts to Fraudehelpdesk (fraudehelpdesk.be) or safeonweb.be.
Need help? Chat with us or email support@accountable.eu, we're happy to help.