You check your email or SMS and find a message from the tax authorities. You will be asked to enter personal information. But be careful – it could be an attempted scam! The Austrian Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF) warns of an increase in such phishing attacks. The message is clear: be vigilant and know the signs of a scam to protect yourself.
The fake news trick
The fraudulent SMS and emails often pose as official communications from FinanzOnline or similar authorities. They usually contain a link that leads to a fake website. There you will be asked to enter personal data such as login details or credit card numbers. The BMF points out that such requests are never official communications.
How do I recognize phishing attempts?
There are some signs that indicate a phishing attempt:
- Unusual email addresses or SMS senders
- Prompts to click on links or download files
- Requests to provide personal information that is not normally shared online
- grammatical errors or unusual wording in the message
What to do if you receive a suspicious message?
The BMF recommends the following steps
- Do not click on any links or attachments in the message.
- Do not give out any personal information.
- Delete suspicious emails immediately.
Recommended protective measures from the BMF
It is important to be aware of scammers' tricks. The BMF offers the information folder “Beware of Fraud!” for download , which is also available in all tax offices. This folder contains valuable information about fraud patterns and security measures.
Conclusion: Stay vigilant and act informed
Phishing is a serious threat. However, if you are vigilant and know the signs, you can protect yourself effectively. Remember to critically examine official requests from authorities and, if in doubt, ask the relevant authority directly.
Finally, we would like to invite you to subscribe Mimikama newsletter Stay informed and benefit from our media education offering , which will help you recognize and avoid false reports and attempted fraud in the digital space.
Source: ots.at
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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )