FinanzOnline forged

Fraudulent SMS messages in circulation

Fake text messages purporting to come from the Austrian tax authorities, such as FinanzOnline, are once again on the increase. Recipients are supposed to call up a link and enter personal data there.

This was announced by the Ministry of Finance in a press release on Friday. "The hyperlinks contained lead to fake websites in the style of FinanzOnline, which request the entry of personal data, in particular account data." This is "an attempt at Internet fraud." FinanzOnline is the online portal of the Austrian tax authorities, which can be used to complete tax returns or other applications, for example.

This is what one of these messages might look like.

(Bild: BMF)

Ministry of Finance does not send text messages
According to its own statement, the Ministry of Finance (BMF) does not send SMS and e-mail messages. "Information from the BMF is generally sent in the form of notices and is delivered by post or to the FinanzOnline Databox." In addition, employees of the BMF would never ask citizens to provide personal data such as passwords, credit card details or account information.

The BMF recommends not to follow the instructions in such messages - i.e. not to open any links or files - and to delete them immediately.