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The Ministry of Finance is warning of fake emails and SMS messages claiming to be sent from Austria’s digital office – oesterreich.gv.at. Recipients are given the illusion of a refund, for which they are asked to fill out an online application. However, the hyperlink contained in the e-mails or SMS leads to a fake website in the style of FinanzOnline, where the entry of personal data, in particular account information, is required.
The Ministry of Finance emphasized on Monday that the phishing emails are an attempt at fraud and that the e-mails and SMS messages sent and linked websites are forgeries: “Information from the Ministry of Finance is always in the form of notifications and is sent by post or to the FinanzOnline data box.” Citizens would never be asked to submit personal information such as passwords, credit card details, or bank account information. The appeal was made to the population to always check the exact sender address of e-mails and not to click on any links or file attachments in suspicious e-mails. Instead, suspicious messages should be deleted immediately.
Source: Nachrichten
