THE HAGUE - The Fraud Helpdesk received more reports of fraud in the first six months of 2025. Fake phone calls, in which people are contacted by fake helpdesks, are a "clearly growing problem," according to the organization. The Fraud Helpdesk has also seen a significant increase in the number of reports about misleading sales, such as contractors charging excessive rates. 

In the first six months of 2025, the organization received just over 44,500 fraud reports. That is nearly 50 percent more than in the same period last year, when 29,826 complaints were filed. 

The number of victims who lost money also increased, rising to nearly 6,700. According to the Fraud Helpdesk, the total financial damage remained roughly the same, amounting to over 26.8 million euros. 

Fraud involving helpdesks was the most reported type. The Fraud Helpdesk finds the increase in reports of misleading sales practices notable. In the first half of 2025, there were nearly 2,400 such reports, compared to just over 800 a year earlier. 

The deception by some contractors has been going on for years, but the number of reports is increasing, said director Henriëtte Bongers. According to the helpdesk, these are often locksmiths, roofers, or pest controllers who appear at the top of internet search results. Clear pricing agreements are often not made in advance, and companies charge high fees afterward, sometimes even for work that was never carried out. 

Bongers advocates for better regulation and a certification system for contractors. “We shouldn’t wait to take action until consumers have lost their money. This is the kind of structural problem where clear regulations and transparent information can make a real difference.”