Phishing via email or WhatsApp

There are criminals out there trying to scam you by pretending to be your bank, your child, your energy supplier, or your water board. Don't fall for it.

False emails MijnOverheid sometimes sent on behalf of water boards or MijnOverheid . Fraudsters ask you to transfer money immediately to avoid a fine. Or they ask you to click on a link that gives them access to personal data on your computer or phone. Do not transfer money without verification and do not click on links or attachments in emails.

How can you recognize emails from criminals?

1. Check the sender

All emails from the water board end with @hhnk.nl. If this is not the case, then the email is not from us. You may also receive an email informing you that a message from us is waiting in your Message Box. In this case, the sender will always be noreply@mijn.overheid.nl. These emails never contain a link.

2. Check the account number

We will only send you an email with a payment link if we have contacted you about this. Our account number is NL20 NWAB 0636 7586 80.

3. Subject number and claim number

Emails requesting payment always include a claim number. You will also find this number on your original tax assessment.

4. Login details or passwords

We will never ask you for login details or passwords.

5. Check the collection agency

We work with bailiffs from Flanderijn Invordering and with no other bailiff agency. Emails from the bailiff always end with @flanderijn.nl.

6. Dear Ms. (Jansen)

We always try to address you by your name. If we don't know your name, the email will start with Dear Sir/Madam, never with Dear customer.

7. Check the links

Phishing emails often ask you to click on a link that leads to a fake website. Do not just click on these links, but check them first. Move your mouse cursor over the link. This will show you where the link leads to. Does the link not lead to https://www.hhnk.nl? That is not a good sign. Delete the email. You can check whether a link is safe via the website http://www.checkjelinkje.nl.

If you think you are dealing with a fake email, then that is usually the case. To be sure, please contact us.

8. WhatsApp or SMS

Nowadays, criminals also try to scam you via text message or WhatsApp. We also use WhatsApp (not text messages), but only after we have contacted you by email or phone.