15/01/2026
The Austrian Ministry of Finance has issued an urgent warning about a growing wave of fraudulent emails circulating across the country, falsely claiming to come from the ministry.
According to the ministry, many citizens and business owners are currently receiving fake messages alleging that outstanding payments must be settled. These emails often include forged payment reminders and attachments, pressuring recipients to transfer money to foreign bank accounts.
Officials stress that this is a deliberate scam and that the ministry would never communicate in this manner.
In a formal statement, the Ministry of Finance clarified that all official communications are issued exclusively as digitally signed notices and are delivered either by post or through the secure FinanzOnline digital mailbox. The ministry emphasized that it never asks individuals to provide personal information such as passwords, credit card details, or bank account data via email.
Authorities have urged the public to ignore such messages entirely, warning people not to click on any links, open attachments, or follow instructions contained in suspicious emails. Any such messages should be deleted immediately.
The ministry also outlined common scam tactics currently being used, including:
Claims of pending tax refunds or repayments
Allegations of unpaid debts or imminent asset seizures
Warnings about suspicious login attempts or required updates to FinanzOnline accounts
Requests for additional compliance checks
Demands for information related to cryptocurrency assets
Officials note that online fraudsters are increasingly using sophisticated methods to make their messages appear authentic. These emails often impersonate trusted institutions such as the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Austrian Tax Office, the Customs Authority, or the FinanzOnline platform.
The Ministry of Finance reiterated its call for vigilance, warning that cybercriminals are becoming more professional in their attempts to steal personal data and money from unsuspecting victims.