Hey bunqers 🌈,
Your security is our top priority, and we want to share useful information which can help keep you safe from fraud 🔒
Check out our guide below for some quick tips on how to spot and handle fraud.
Important: We’ll never call you or ask for your credentials, magic links or personal info (like phone number, security code, card number, or IBAN) outside the bunq app.
What to do if you suspect or experience fraud
If you're a victim of fraud, the key to secure your account is to take action as quickly as possible. Here's what you can do if you suspect you are a victim:
If you see an unrecognized card payment, block your card and order a new one as soon as possible. You can then request a chargeback, directly in the app.
If you spot another type of suspicious or fraudulent activity related to your bank account, report this to us right away using this form.
If you were scammed - check out this page.
If you suspect a bunq user to be involved with fraud or scams - use this form to report it.
If you have further questions, call our SOS Hotline — our Support Team is always here to help you.
How can I reach out to the SOS Hotline?
You can reach out to our SOS Hotline by:
Tap on your Profile in the top left corner
Tap on 🟢 Support
Tap on the 3 dots in the top right corner
Select Get Emergency Support
Tap Call our secure SOS Hotline
You’ll be connected directly to a member of our dedicated team — they’ll guide you on what you can do to secure your account.
Keeping your account safe
Here are some tips on how to spot and reduce risks.
bunq employee impersonation
What it looks like:
Someone calls you out of the blue, says they work at bunq or another bank, and warns you about an urgent problem, like a suspicious transaction, a compromised account, or tells you that your money is at risk right now. They sound calm and professional, and they pressure you to act fast.
Here's the one thing to remember — bunq will never call you. All official communication happens inside your bunq app. If it's not in the app, it didn't come from us. That urgency and pressure is one of the clearest signs it's a scam.
Watch out when someone:
claims to work at bunq or your bank and says your account or money is at risk
asks you to move money to a "safe account"
asks for your PIN, security code, or login details
asks you to install an app so they can help
tells you to keep the call secret or not to contact your bank
calls from a number that looks like a real bank number (this can be faked)
Important: We'll never ask for your PIN, security code, or password on any channel — not by phone, email, or text. If someone calls, says they're from bunq and asks for these, hang up immediately and report this to us.
If you're ever in doubt about a call, hang up, open the bunq app, and check your in-app messages. To double-check whether the contact was really from us, reach out through in-app chat. If you already shared details or moved money, report it right away in the app and call our SOS Hotline.
Phishing, spoofing, and fake messages
What it looks like:
Fraudsters send emails, texts, or WhatsApp messages that look like they're from bunq. They ask you to verify your account, reactivate your IBAN, confirm a change, or click a link. Typically, with a deadline attached. The link leads to a fake website built to look like bunq, where your login details get captured. The same trick shows up as fake QR codes and spoofed sender addresses that look identical to real ones.
If you get a message asking you to click a link, scan a code, log in, or share sensitive details, don't do it. We never ask for login codes or private information by email, text, WhatsApp, or social media, and we'll never send you a deadline to verify your account.
Signs to look for:
a link or QR code that asks you to "recognize," "verify," or "reactivate" your account
urgency or a deadline: "act now or your account will be blocked"
a sender address or URL that doesn't quite match bunq's official one
a page asking you to enter your full login details
💡 Pro tip: Instead of clicking a link in a message, open the bunq app directly to check your account status. Real notifications always show up there.
If you already clicked and entered your details, change your bunq password immediately and contact us through in-app chat. Learn more about Phishing and Spoofing.
Remote access scams
What it looks like:
Someone contacts you claiming to be from bunq, a government body, or a well-known tech company like Microsoft or Apple. They say there's an urgent problem with your device or account and ask you to install remote access software — like AnyDesk or TeamViewer — so they can "fix" it. Once it's installed, they can see your screen and use your bunq app directly, sometimes making transactions without you noticing.
bunq will never ask you to install remote access software, and no real bank or tech company solves problems this way. Once someone has remote access to your device, they can get around your security, including two-factor authentication.
Be careful when someone:
asks you to install an app from an urgent or unfamiliar link
says they need access to fix your account or device
asks you to keep the app open while they work
asks you to read out codes or confirmations on your screen
claims your device has been hacked or infected
If you've already installed something like this, delete it right away, turn off your wifi or mobile data if the session is still active, change your bunq password, and contact us through in-app chat so we can help secure your account.
Investment and job scams
What it looks like:
Someone reaches out on social media or a messaging app — Instagram, TikTok, Telegram, or WhatsApp — promising high or guaranteed returns on an investment, or offering an easy online job like liking videos or rating products. You make a few transfers or small upfront payments, and then the requests keep coming: profits are "locked" until you pay a fee, or the job needs one more deposit. Eventually the contact disappears with your money.
No real financial advisor or employer will contact you out of the blue like this. bunq will never contact you to promote an investment, and all our products and investment options live in the app only.
Red flags to watch for:
promises of very high or guaranteed returns
being contacted out of the blue on social media or a messaging app
being asked to open accounts on unknown platforms or crypto exchanges
profits described as "locked" until you pay a fee to release them
a job that only involves receiving or moving money, or needs upfront payments
being told to keep the investment or job secret from your bank
pressure tactics: "limited time," "exclusive offer," "act today or lose your slot"
💭 Keep in mind: If someone tells you to keep an investment secret from your bank, that's always a red flag.
If this happens to you, stop all contact, make no more transfers, save your messages and any usernames or IBANs involved, and report it in the app. For guidance on recovering your money, check out: I've been scammed. What can I do?
Online marketplace scams
What it looks like:
When you’re buying or selling on Marktplaats, Vinted, eBay, or Facebook Marketplace, scammers try to move you off the platform's official payment system. They often try this with a "verification link," a payment request link, or a direct IBAN transfer. After you pay, the item never arrives, or the seller says your payment never came through. When you're selling, a fake buyer may send you a payment request link and tell you to click it to "receive" your money, but clicking it actually sends money to them.
A payment request (betaalverzoek) always takes money from your account. It's never a way to receive money. If a buyer sends you a link to pay you, it's a scam. To receive money, only ever use an IBAN bank transfer to your account.
Signs of a marketplace scam:
the other person wants to pay or be paid outside the platform's official system
you're sent a payment request link to "receive" money
someone pushes for fast payment and avoids in-person meetups or platform protection
the price is well below market value
a "verification" request asks you to confirm your bank details via a link
the other profile is new, has few reviews, or sells lots of unrelated items
Always use the platform's built-in payment protection — on Marktplaats that's Gelijk Oversteken. If you've been scammed, save screenshots of the messages, listing, and payment details, report it in the app, and report it to the platform too. You can also submit a recall request in the app. Learn more about fraudulent verification requests on Marktplaats.
Money mule scams — don't become one
What it looks like:
Someone asks you to receive money in your bunq account and forward it on, in return for a cut. It's framed as a job, a favor, or an investment task — but the money is stolen or illegal, and moving it means you're laundering funds in your own name. Sometimes the request comes from a stranger online, sometimes from someone you know, and sometimes it starts friendly and turns into pressure or threats.
Your bank account is legally linked to your identity, so every transaction on it is your responsibility — no matter who asked you to make it. A real employer will never ask you to use your personal account to process their payments.
Be alert when someone:
offers you a percentage to "just receive and forward" money
describes a job that only involves receiving and transferring funds
recruits you on TikTok, Telegram, or Instagram with promises of easy money
asks you to act fast and keep it quiet from your bank
asks you to buy crypto or gift cards with the money you received
Important: Taking part without realizing it is still a criminal offense, and it can lead to losing access to banking or to legal action. The sooner you report it, the better your position.
If you've received money but not yet forwarded it, stop, don't spend it, and contact us through in-app chat straight away. Learn more in Money mules — don't become one.
Buying or selling bank accounts
What it looks like:
Someone offers you money to open a bunq account for them, or asks you to hand over an existing one — sometimes with pressure or threats. Once you change the account's email, phone number, and passcode and give someone else access, they control the account while your name stays on it. Everything that happens next, including fraud and money laundering, is linked to you.
Bank accounts are tied to your identity, so selling, buying, or sharing one — even under pressure — is a criminal offense. There's no legitimate reason to do it. If you genuinely need to share access, bunq has proper options built for that: Joint Accounts, Connect for people you trust, and bunq for Business.
Watch out for:
an offer of money to open a bank account for someone else
a request to hand over your login details or change your account credentials
recruitment via Telegram, TikTok, or word of mouth for a simple "banking job"
pressure or threats to go along with it
a request that comes bundled with a fake job or investment offer
Never give anyone your personal login details. If you've already handed over access, contact us through in-app chat immediately so we can help secure the account, and keep any evidence like messages and usernames.
Unauthorized card payments
If you spot a payment from your card that you didn’t make, it may be fraud — maybe from phishing, a stolen card, or some other shady reason. Well, we've got your back. You can request a chargeback through the app to claim your money back.
Here’s how:
Go to 🏠 Home
Click on the Bank Account from which you've made the payment
Select your payment
Scroll down
Click on More
Tap on Request a Refund/Chargeback
The app will ask if you recognize the payment and you should say no
We'll offer to block your card to make sure that it can't be used
Block your card
The card is blocked! Remember to request a new card by following these steps
Once you’ve sent that off, the merchant will take a look at it - this could take up to 30 days (Mastercard’s rules). We’ll ping you with the decision as soon as we receive it, and if the merchant gives it the green light, your money will go back to your account.
💭 Keep in mind: You should block your card and request a new one. It should keep those unauthorized transactions from happening again. You can also refer to this page for more details about chargebacks.
PIN Skimming
When using an ATM or payment terminal, cover your PIN and ensure no one’s watching. Store your passcode securely afterward and don’t ever share it.
Second-Hand Scams
Buying second-hand? If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Check the item’s market value. If the price is suspiciously low, it might be a scam.
Boiler Room Fraud
Pushy salespeople pitch fake or risky investments, hyping them up with lies or fake social media buzz. Be skeptical of unsolicited offers, research thoroughly, and consult financial experts before investing.
If the deal is too good to be true, it might really be not true.
General tips
Here’s how you can help keep keep your bank account safe:
Check your account often and keep an eye on our communications – we share guidelines to prevent frauds and scams.
Report suspicious links or IBANs to us and the police.
Got a shady bunq.me link? Hit the report button to alert our compliance team — we’ll act fast.
Report incidents using this form to help us fight fraud.