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Fraudsters are sending fake SMS messages, emails and WhatsApp notifications across Austria in an attempt to steal personal information and banking details.
People across Austria are being warned about a renewed wave of fraudulent messages impersonating FinanzOnline, the country’s online tax service. The scammers claim that users’ access to FinanzOnline, their ID Austria account or their registration is about to expire, urging them to click on a link to avoid a possible suspension.
Although the scam is not new, it continues to pose a serious risk to unsuspecting recipients.
Fake warnings designed to steal personal data
The fraudulent messages often create a sense of urgency, telling recipients that they must update their personal information immediately to prevent their accounts from being blocked or deactivated.
The messages may arrive by SMS, email or WhatsApp and can appear convincing because they use the name and branding of official Austrian government services.
However, clicking on the link can lead victims to a fake website designed to look like a legitimate government portal. Once there, users may be asked to enter sensitive information, including usernames, passwords, personal identification details and banking information.
Criminals can then use the stolen data to access accounts, commit identity fraud or carry out financial transactions.
Finance Ministry warns against the scam
Austria’s Federal Ministry of Finance (Bundesministerium für Finanzen, BMF) has made clear that it does not ask people to submit personal information or passwords through links sent by SMS, email or telephone.
Official notices and tax assessments are delivered by post or through the secure FinanzOnline electronic mailbox, known as the Databox.
Anyone receiving a message claiming that their FinanzOnline access or ID Austria registration is about to expire should therefore treat it with caution, particularly if the message demands immediate action through an unfamiliar link.
What should you do if you receive a suspicious message?
Authorities and security experts advise the public to follow several precautions:
- Do not click on the link. Even if the message looks official, the website it leads to may be fraudulent.
- Never enter personal information or passwords through links contained in suspicious messages.
- Delete the message if you suspect it is a scam.
- Access FinanzOnline directly by typing the official address, finanzonline.at, into your browser rather than using a link in a message.
- Act immediately if you have shared sensitive information. Change any affected passwords and contact your bank if banking details were disclosed. Contact the relevant tax authority if your FinanzOnline account may have been compromised.
Stay alert to digital fraud
As more public services move online, cybercriminals continue to exploit people’s trust in official institutions. Messages warning of expiring accounts, blocked access or urgent registration updates are common tactics used to pressure recipients into acting without checking whether the communication is genuine.
The safest approach is simple: never follow an unsolicited link to update sensitive information. Instead, use official websites and secure government communication channels to verify whether any action is actually required.
Remember: A message claiming to come from FinanzOnline does not automatically mean it is genuine. One careless click could expose your personal and financial information.
- source: vienna.at/picture: pixabay.com/canva.com
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