Staying informed is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself and others. Here’s what to look out for and how to stay safe.
Local Scam Tactics to Watch For
In addition to standard scams, Dutch residents are frequently targeted by fraudsters pretending to be:
Belastingdienst (Tax Office): Claiming you have a "Box 3" tax refund or an urgent debt.
CJIB (Central Judicial Collection Agency): Sending fake emails or texts about unpaid traffic fines (verkeersboetes) and threatening to block your bank account or seize your driver’s license.
MijnOverheid / DigiD: Sending links to "update your details" to gain access to your official identity.
Vriend-in-nood (WhatsApp Fraud): A scammer pretends to be a friend or family member with a new number who needs urgent help paying a bill (often via a Tikkie).
How Yonder and ClearBank Protect You
At Yonder, we follow the strict security guidelines of VeiligBankieren.nl. Here is our promise to you:
We will NEVER:
Ask you to transfer money to a "Safe Account" (veilige rekening) or an escrow account.
Send a Police Officer or "Courier" to your house to collect your physical debit card or your PIN.
Ask for your DigiD login or your PIN over the phone.
Include a direct login link in an SMS or email.
How to Stay Safe in the Netherlands
Check the Link: Before clicking, use tools like CheckjeLinkje.nl to see where a URL actually leads.
The "Yellow" Rule: Legitimate Dutch bank messages will never ask you to scan a QR code for "3D security" or "card updates" via email.
Hang Up and Call Back: If "Yonder" or "ClearBank" calls you out of the blue, hang up. Look up our official number in the app and call us back yourself.
The "Spoofing" Trick: Scammers can make their caller ID show as "Yonder" or even a Dutch police station number. Never trust the number on your screen alone.
Even if a message contains real-looking details, scammers can use data from past breaches to make their scams more convincing.
What to do if you are scammed?
If you have shared details or lost money:
Freeze your card immediately in the Yonder app.
Contact us via the in-app chat so we can secure your account and alert ClearBank Europe N.V.
Report it: Visit Fraudehelpdesk.nl and file a report with the Dutch Police (Politie) at 0900-8844 or via politie.nl.
If you suspect a scam or something doesn’t feel right, reach out to us via the Yonder app or email [email protected].