Phishing

Beware of scam emails and text messages.

There are a lot of scam emails and text messages going around. Those messages look like they were sent from Farys, but they are not from us.

Beware: the messages are very well made and are becoming increasingly realistic. Do not respond to these messages or click on any links in the email or text message.

Which signs may indicate a scam message?

• Urgent requests: are those that ask you to take immediate action.

• Financial transactions or details: they ask you to make a payment or confirm personal details.

• Illogical link: the hyperlink you are asked to click differs from the organisation’s official structure or is inconsistently constructed.

• Unusual sender address: the sender’s email address is unusual, unrecognisable, or does not match the organisation’s official name.

How can you recognise a fake water bill?

How can you recognise messages from Farys?

• Check who the text message is from.
  • Text messages from Farys are always sent from the number 8875. 
  • Farys never sends messages via WhatsApp.
     
• Check who the email is from.
  • Emails from Farys always are always sent from an email address ending in ‘@farys.be’ or ‘@info.farys.be’.
  • Are you requesting a new password for MyFarys? Then you will receive an email from the email address [email protected].
     
• Check the links in your email. 
  • A link from Farys always begins with ‘https://www.farys.be’ or ‘https://my.farys.be’.
  • Are you using a computer? Hover your mouse over the link for a moment. Are you using a smartphone? Hold your finger on the link for a few seconds. In that way, you can view the full link without clicking through.
     
• Do you receive an invoice? If so, first check whether you have any outstanding invoices. You can do that at any time in MyFarys.
  Tip: request a direct debit for invoices from Farys. In that way, your payments will always be made on time and automatically. So you will never have to wonder again if that email or text about an invoice is genuine.
   
• Are you being asked to check your customer details because you are receiving a refund? If so, first check your invoice on MyFarys. This will tell you whether you will receive a refund and to which account number we will pay back the amount. Do we not yet have your account number? In that case, we will request your account number via your invoice.

How to make a secure payment?

Phishing emails are usually sent with one goal: to get you to pay for something you do not owe.

• Therefore opt for direct debit payment. This ensures that only the correct water bills are paid and prevents your invoice from being intercepted through hacking of your mailbox.
  More information about paying via direct debit
   

• Would you still prefer to pay each invoice manually? Then always check whether you are really paying Farys.
  How do you check whether you are really transferring to Farys?

What should you do if you receive a scam message?

• If you receive a scam message, do not click on any link in the email or text message.
   
• Please let us know about the scam message by contacting us. 
   
• You can also forward suspicious emails and text messages to [email protected], the Centre for Cybersecurity in Belgium. In case of a suspicious text message, take a screenshot and send a copy by email.

If in doubt, always contact our customer service