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About street vendors, phishing and hacking

Stay alert and protect yourself

From physical street vendors to phishing emails to hackers: discover tips on how to spot unwanted sellers. Learn how to keep digital scams out.

Street vendors

Everyone knows them: street vendors, or door-to-door salesmen who try to sell you anything and everything. In our street there are even a few who come by regularly. You can practically set your schedule by it. Did you know that the street vandor card has now been abolished?

For example, there is the older man with African books who has been ringing the doorbell every three months for more than fifteen years. In the meantime, he has become part of local folklore.

I think I am his most loyal customer here. And honestly: I don’t have the heart to refuse him, even though he has been selling the same books for years.

In the past, there was also the honey man. My mother loved his jars of honey, but after her death the jars were mainly piling up.

I still have a few, and luckily I didn’t get rid of them, because honey apparently has an unlimited shelf life. As long as the jar is properly sealed, it is said that you can safely use it years later.

How do you deal with door-to-door salespeople?

Some belong to folklore, others better not.

I do open up to:

Local youth associations such as Chiro, KSA, or cycling clubs that do breakfast baskets or support actions.

Those young people are committed, and it feels nice to support them.

But for this one I draw the line:

• strangers that don’t give a clear explanation,
• people who insist,
• No identification, no recognizable folder, no badge.

It’s always okay to say kindly but firmly:

“Sorry, I don’t make any purchases at the door.”

Digital hawkers

The physical street vendors may have been reduced in number, but their digital ‘brothers and sisters’ continue to advance en masse. And believe me: the consequences are far more serious.

Where this used to happen occasionally, today we have to be constantly on our guard!

They mainly play on one weak spot: our greed.

They suggest that you have money coming your way… You click, and hop, before you know it, you’re there.

How do you recognize a phishing email?

Phishing is becoming more sophisticated.

The emails often seem so real that you click almost automatically. Especially messages that seem to come from official bodies such as:

• MyPension.be
• My Citizen Profile
• Tax-on-Web / FPS Finance
• RVA or VDAB
• Social Security
• Health insurance funds
• Courier services such as bpost, DHL, PostNL
• Telecom providers such as Proximus or Telenet

They use logos, colors, and language that are almost indistinguishable from the real thing.

As for banks, it’s a little simpler:

A message from a bank where you don’t have an account? Immediate distrust.

Why do people fall for it?

Because these emails respond to urgency and trust.

And let’s be honest: if you see something from ‘MyPension’ or “FOD Finance’, you are quickly inclined to look, because yes, that sounds important.

Red flags in phishing:

• strange sender or weird email address,
• urgent tone (“Your account will be blocked immediately!”),
• language and spelling errors,
• links that seem suspicious,
• ask for personal details or codes.

Never do: click, download, respond or log in via the link in such an email.

Still, it could be worse.!

Hackers don’t even send you an email.

They just get straight to the point. If they get into your PC or mobile phone, they steal your contacts, information and passwords.

The only thing you can do right away is:

• notify your bank and Card Stop,
• change your passwords,
• and make your devices safe.

Also report the hack to the services involved. This can include your email provider, social media, and your phone operator. Whenever possible, turn on two-step verification .

It is also wise to:

• Reset your passwords and use unique, strong passwords
• Scan and update your devices with the latest security
• install a professional antivirus program
• report any suspicious activity to the police.•

Have you experienced anything with peddlers, phishing or hacking that you want to share? Feel free to send me an email.

You can find more of these stories on my site under my stories.

Emma