Businesses may face various forms of crime. Several Dutch organisations provide information about the steps you can take in order to prevent this from happening.
Cybercrime
Cybercrime is a fast-growing and serious problem both inside the Netherlands and beyond. The government is pursuing an integral approach to tackle the problem of digital theft (for example identity theft and data theft), extortion, fraud, cyber attacks on websites, and industrial espionage.
- Government.nl provides information about crime prevention and cyber crime (crime in which a computer is the object of the crime or is used as a tool to commit an offense). If you have fallen victim to ransomware, you can consult No More Ransom to delete the software.
- The Dutch-language government website Rijksoverheid.nl offers advice on basic measures you can take for safer internet use.
- The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) offers advice for companies on improving your cyber resilience.
- The Dutch Centre for Crime Prevention and Community Safety (CCV) offers information on how to prevent different kinds of crime in your business (in Dutch).
- The Digital Trust Centre (DTC) offers advice and tools to safely conduct business digitally. They also have a Dutch-language tool to identify the security risks of your process automation.
- ENISA offers a cybersecurity guide for SMEs with steps to protect your business.
Our website also provides more information and tips on cyber security, for example basic principles to follow to run a secure digital business. There are tools to identify cyber risks for your SME and check how likely you are to become the victim of cybercrime.
Counterfeit money
Do you want to check if a banknote is genuine or counterfeit? It is best not to rely on just one feature, but to check a few of them. Feel the note in your hands and look at it closely; if you have any doubts, compare it to one that you know is genuine. You can also use detecting equipment, such as an ultra-violet (UV) lamp. For information on detecting counterfeit banknotes, check the European Central Bank's website. If you have received a suspected counterfeit, you should contact the Dutch police immediately.
Shop crime and robbery
If you catch a shoplifter in the act, you can claim compensation from the shoplifter for any damage and the time spent dealing with the matter. If you participate in the Shoplifters pay (Winkeldieven betalen, in Dutch) scheme of the Service Organisation Direct Liability (SODA) foundation, they will help you to get compensation from the shoplifter.
If you are a victim of robbery, Netherlands Victim Support (in Dutch) can provide you with emotional and legal assistance.
Submitting a report to the police
Are you a victim of a crime, such as theft, burglary, robbery, fraud, internal crime, or cybercrime? You can report this to the police. You can do this at the police station, by telephone, or through their website(in Dutch).
Secure Business Seal of Approval
If you work with the municipality, police, or fire service, you can obtain the Secure Business Seal of Approval (Keurmerk Veilig Ondernemen, KVO) for commercial sites and retail areas. KVO helps secure your business against burglary, robberies, and fire. As a result, you provide your employees, your customers, and yourself with a safe environment.
