# Austria Warns of Rising Tax Authority Fraud

October 18, 2026 at 09:16 AM

> The Austrian Federal Ministry of Finance warns citizens of fake websites and messages posing as official tax communications to steal data.

The **Austrian Federal Ministry of Finance** (BMF) has issued an urgent warning regarding a surge in fraudulent messages, fake calls, and forged websites. Criminals are posing as tax authorities to steal sensitive data from citizens and local entrepreneurs alike.

Fraudsters are utilizing SMS, email, and social media to direct victims to forged websites designed to mimic the **FinanzOnline** portal. The BMF emphasizes that it never requests personal data, passwords, or credit card information via these informal channels.

Official notices are only delivered by mail or through the secure FinanzOnline Databox as digitally signed documents. For verification, the BMF website provides signature details, while the **Watchlist Internet** platform lists current known fraud schemes.

**Austria**

[#Austria](<https://austriareport.com/hashtag/austria>) #TaxFraud [#CyberSecurity](<https://austriareport.com/hashtag/cybersecurity>) #FinanzOnline #DataProtection

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