Scam email reports double in one month

In January 32,848 scam emails were reported to online fraud hotline Fraudehelpdesk.nl. That is almost double the 16,705 reports received in December, the hotline announced on Monday. According to Fraudehelpdesk, the scam emails are very diverse. They range from mails seemingly from banks asking the recipient to send in an expired debit card to emails seemingly from the Central Collection Agency about outstanding traffic fines. Last week a bunch of mails were sent out claiming that the recipient was involved in an accident and has to pay damages. Many of these emails involve so-called phishing scams, in which recipients are asked to click on a link and provide the personal information. The Fraudehelpdesk warns the public to never click on a link or attachment in an email you do not trust. "The advice with mails you do not trust: do not click on anything, never open attachments and never enter your personal details. Send the email to Fraudehelpdesk and delete it from your mailbox."