Fraudsters are currently trying to use a fake SMS to direct recipients to a fake website that looks like the Federal Ministry of Finance. The content of the SMS is:

Screenshot of the fake SMS from Germany with “INFORMATION: The tax office has decided that you will receive an amount of 671.48 Confirm your bank to receive the refund: https:rebrand.ly/bundesamt Note: This is an automatically generated one News" 
Screenshot of the fake SMS from Germany with “INFORMATION: The tax office has decided that you will receive an amount of 671.48 Confirm your bank to receive the refund: https:rebrand.ly/bundesamt Note: This is an automatically generated one News"

Fake SMS leads to a fake website of the Federal Ministry of Finance

Anyone who follows this link will land on a fake website that is supposed to be the website of the Federal Ministry of Finance. Here the perpetrators simply use a logo with “Federal Ministry of Finance” and offer the appropriate links to the usual banks in Germany. The links should then be used to register in the online banking app.

Fake website in the look of the Federal Ministry of Finance - home page
Fake website that looks like the Federal Ministry of Finance (home page – selection page for phishing sites)

If you click on a link, the perpetrators will redirect you to suitable phishing sites. We have chosen the Volksbank as an example here. Use on a smartphone/tablet that is already equipped with online banking may have a different effect and the corresponding apps may be accessed at the same time or afterwards.

Fake website that looks like Volksbank
Fake website that looks like Volksbank

Important! This fake SMS does not come from the Federal Ministry of Finance. The promised amount of 671.48 euros is intended to entice recipients to access these fake online banking phishing pages. In addition, it cannot be ruled out that malware is still being loaded in the background on such sites.

If you just opened the SMS you received, then nothing has happened yet. However, if you have clicked on the link, this may look different. For these reasons, we recommend that you check the device you are using with up-to-date anti-virus software as a precautionary measure.

If you have now followed the instructions on the fake website and linked your online banking/entered access data, then inform your bank immediately! Have your online banking blocked and apply for new access. Then, take your time to file a report at your local police station or use the relevant online watchdog (if available).

Also read: Lauterbach video about cerebral thrombosis after vaccinations: Not current! (fact check)


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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 )