Cybercrime first aid

You may be a victim of a cybercrime incident if you:


Unknown amounts have been deducted from your account

You can no longer log into your email or social media accounts

Your friends and family are receiving emails or messages that you did not send.

Messages are posted on your social media account that you did not post

You can check https://haveibeenpwned.com to see if your email address or any other data has been previously captured by hackers.

Have you clicked on a link in an e-mail or opened an attachment and don't trust it?

Report this to your institution or organization as soon as possible

Turn on your virus scanner to detect possible harmful viruses

Change passwords if you entered them somewhere via a phishing email

Do you use the same password with other accounts? Change those too to unique, strong passwords

Read more about phishing

Stay calm

Leave the device on and disconnect from the network

Change your passwords

Contact your institution if account information or devices are involved in a ransomware attack. Attackers may be trying to capture more data.

Sometimes encrypted information can be decrypted again. Check out No More Ransomware for more information.

File a police report if there is demonstrable damage.

Inform your family and friends

Learn more about ransomware here

Get an overview of the situation.

Take immediate action to limit the damage from the data breach. And assess the risks.

Determine whether or not you must report the data breach to the Personal Data Authority (AP). If so, do so immediately.

Determine whether or not you must report the data breach to affected individuals. If yes, do so as soon as possible.

Report the data breach to the organization, institution or app that is handling your data.

More about data breaches

Block your bank account if you suspect scammers have your banking information. Contact your bank if you want to reverse a payment and to report fraud.

Change captured passwords as soon as possible.

Turn on multi factor authentication if possible.

Scan your device for malware and viruses.

Report fraud and scams to the police.

For more information, visit the Fraud Helpdesk.

How to recognize fake websites

Anyone can become a victim of cyberbullying. Here's what you can do if it happens to you.

Do not respond to the posts, messages or videos

Save any posts, messages or videos. Save them or take screenshots/photos of them. It can serve as evidence

Report the crime? Go to vraaghetdepolitie.nl

Block the person who is harassing you

Are the videos or messages on a platform or website? Contact the owner and ask for the material to be removed (take photos as evidence first).

Contact someone you trust, for example the confidential advisor at your institution.