Tax Scam Messages in Germany: How to Protect Yourself
German authorities have issued urgent warnings following the circulation of fraudulent emails sent in the name of the Federal Tax Office, demanding recipients pay money within a short deadline and threatening them with penalties and fines.
The fraudulent messages appear highly official, often featuring the federal eagle emblem and sometimes fake file numbers, making it difficult for recipients to distinguish them from genuine communications.
In one instance, a German citizen received a message demanding payment of €375 for failing to report 2023 sales data, even though they had already submitted their information.
The Federal Tax Office clarified that these fraudulent practices are not new, noting that the demanded amounts usually range between €300 and €400, and that the success rate for scammers is very low.
Authorities have also emphasized the importance of verifying the authenticity of any tax-related message before transferring any money.
To avoid falling victim, authorities recommend checking for the following indicators:
- Official Source: Genuine tax communications are issued only by the local tax office, not the Federal Tax Office.
- Personal Greeting: Official messages should include your name and tax identification number, rather than a generic greeting like “Dear Taxpayer.”
- Bank Account Number: Official accounts start with “DE,” and funds are never requested to be transferred to foreign accounts.
- Payment Deadline: Tax offices usually provide a period of at least one month and do not use immediate threats of enforcement.
German authorities have advised all citizens to contact their local tax office directly if they suspect any message, and to avoid transferring any money before verifying its authenticity.
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