The Belgian railways, NMBS, have issued a warning against misleading messages circulating on social media. Scammers are attempting to obtain personal data from victims by pretending to offer promotions and discounts through false reports. There have been at least three reports on Facebook that claim 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, these offers are not valid and the scammers are seeking banking information from their victims.
The NMBS advises travelers not to respond to these messages and only rely on official channels for communication. They also urge travelers not to share personal information or bank details with such offers. Bart Crols, spokesperson for the NMBS, warns travelers to 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.
Despite the warning, the misleading messages continue to circulate on social media platforms and even in other countries like the Netherlands. The NMBS has filed a complaint with authorities and social media platforms but it seems like the scammers are getting away with it. Travelers are encouraged to be vigilant and report any suspicious messages they receive to the appropriate authorities.
