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A new wave of phishing attacks is hitting motorists across Austria, with fraudsters sending fake emails in the name of ASFINAG and demanding payment for an alleged “Ersatzmaut” of 12.36 euros. The goal is not to collect a fine — but to steal personal and financial data.
Official Look, Criminal Intent
The fraudulent messages are designed to look convincing: the layout resembles official ASFINAG communication, and the text claims that recipients were caught driving on Austrian motorways or expressways without a valid vignette. To avoid a supposed administrative penalty, users are urged to purchase a retroactive 10‑day vignette via a link.
But ASFINAG warns that these emails are fake. The company emphasizes that it never sends such payment requests by email.
The Trap Behind the Button
The button labeled “Ersatzmaut jetzt bezahlen” does not lead to an ASFINAG payment portal. Instead, it redirects to a phishing site where criminals attempt to harvest names, addresses, and credit card details. According to ASFINAG, victims may also face unauthorized high-value charges if they enter their information.
One red flag is the unusual amount of 12.36 euros, which does not correspond to any official ASFINAG tariff. Another is the sender address, which clearly differs from legitimate ASFINAG domains.
ASFINAG’s Advice: Do Not Click
ASFINAG urges all customers to stay vigilant:
- Check the sender address carefully
- Do not click suspicious links
- Never enter personal or credit card data
- If in doubt, contact ASFINAG only through official channels
The company stresses that it does not request payments via unsolicited emails and that genuine reminders or penalties are issued through secure, verifiable processes.
What to Do If You Received Such an Email
Anyone who has clicked the link or entered data should immediately:
- Contact their bank to block or monitor their card
- Change any passwords that may have been compromised
- Report the incident to the Austrian police or the Cybercrime Reporting Office
- source: vienna.at/picture: asfinag.at
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