Belgium Launches Fraudstop: One Number to Block Cards and Banking Apps After Phishing
Belgium has launched a centralized anti-fraud service called Fraudstop, a single telephone hotline that allows victims of phishing to immediately block both their bank cards and digital banking applications. The initiative, announced on June 19 by Minister of Consumer Protection Rob Beenders and the Belgian banking federation Febelfin, consolidates what were previously two separate reporting processes into one rapid-response system, according to VRT NWS.
A Unified Response to a Growing Threat
Until now, phishing victims in Belgium faced a cumbersome two-step process: they had to call their bank’s specific fraud hotline to block digital banking access and separately contact Card Stop to freeze their physical bank cards. In high-stress situations where every minute counts, this fragmentation often led to costly delays.
Fraudstop eliminates that hurdle. Victims now dial a single, easy-to-remember number — 078 170 170, the same number already used for Card Stop — and receive comprehensive assistance. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“In fraud cases, every minute often counts,” said Karel Baert, CEO of Febelfin, as reported by IT Daily. “That’s why we deliberately chose a well-known and recognizable number.”
How Fraudstop Works
When a victim calls Fraudstop, the response depends on their bank. For customers of ING, Beobank, Nagelmackers, Banque CPH, and Banque Chaabi du Maroc, Fraudstop automatically sends a message to the bank to block digital banking access. For all other participating banks, the service connects the caller directly to their bank’s fraud department.
Most major Belgian banks are connected to the system, though some neobanks are not yet integrated. Importantly, the existing individual fraud hotlines for each bank remain operational, and Card Stop continues to function as before.
The Scale of the Problem
The launch comes amid a dramatic surge in phishing attacks across Belgium. According to Febelfin’s 2024 statistics, phishers stole approximately 49 million euros in 2024 alone. While banks detected, blocked, or recovered 75% of fraudulent transfers, a quarter still slipped through.
The situation has worsened in 2026. The Centre for Cybersecurity Belgium (CCB) reported record numbers of phishing reports in the first quarter, with daily reports surging from an average of 27,000 in 2025 to over 42,000 in March 2026, as VRT NWS reported in April.
Miguel De Bruycker of the CCB warned that artificial intelligence is supercharging scammers’ capabilities. “Criminals are becoming increasingly inventive,” he told VRT NWS. “They are also enormously strengthened by artificial intelligence, which allows them to create very credible messages very quickly.”
A Critical Warning: Fraudstop Will Never Call You
Authorities have issued a stark warning: neither Fraudstop nor Card Stop will ever call consumers directly. Any unsolicited call claiming to be from either service is a scam. Scammers have previously impersonated Card Stop, and officials expect them to attempt the same with Fraudstop.
Legal Protections for Victims
Under Belgian law, banks are legally required to reimburse victims of unauthorized payments unless the victim was “grossly negligent” — for example, by keeping their PIN code on a paper next to their card. An Antwerp court recently reaffirmed this obligation. Even in cases of gross negligence, if additional money is stolen after the victim reports the fraud, the bank must still compensate for that subsequent loss.
Broader Context and Outlook
Fraudstop is part of a wider push by Belgian authorities and financial institutions to combat digital fraud. Other initiatives include the CCB’s Verdacht@safeonweb.be reporting platform, the phased introduction of IBAN-name checks by banks, and ongoing public awareness campaigns.
Minister Beenders had demanded that banks present a comprehensive action plan against phishing by summer 2026. Fraudstop represents a key deliverable of that effort. As phishing attacks grow more sophisticated — fueled by AI and real-time exploitation of news events — the need for rapid, coordinated consumer protection has never been more urgent.
The success of Fraudstop will ultimately depend on consumer awareness and the expansion of the system to include all banks operating in Belgium. Despite the launch, surveys indicate that 8% of the Belgian population — and 23% of young people — have never heard of phishing, highlighting a significant awareness gap that authorities will need to address.
For now, the message from authorities is clear: if you suspect you have been phished, call 078 170 170 immediately. Every minute counts, and Fraudstop is designed to ensure that victims waste none of them.