Fraudsters are once again sending emails in the name of the Bundeszentralamt für Steuern
Fraudsters are currently making another attempt to obtain bank account and credit card information from taxpayers by email.
They pose by email as the "Bundeszentralamt für Steuern" and claim that the affected citizens are entitled to a tax refund. To receive it, recipients are told to complete a form linked in the email.
The Bundeszentralamt für Steuern (BZSt) warns against responding to such or similar emails, as requests to apply for tax refunds are never sent by email and bank account details are never requested in this form.
Source: www.bzst.de
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Does the Bundeszentralamt für Steuern send tax refunds by email?
No. The Bundeszentralamt für Steuern (BZSt, German Federal Central Tax Office) does not send requests to apply for tax refunds by email. Bank account details are likewise never requested through this channel. Such emails are phishing attempts.
How can you identify phishing emails sent in the name of the Federal Central Tax Office (Bundeszentralamt für Steuern)?
Typical indicators include references to an alleged tax refund, a request to complete a linked form, and queries for bank account or credit card details. Since the BZSt never requests such information by email, these messages are always fraudulent.
How should you respond to a suspicious email purportedly from the BZSt?
Recipients should not click on any links or enter personal data or account information. The email should be deleted unopened or forwarded to the BZSt for review. Do not reply to the sender.
Through which channels does the tax office actually request data or refunds?
The tax authorities communicate binding information such as tax assessments or refunds generally by postal mail or via the ELSTER portal. Sensitive data such as bank details are never requested by unencrypted email.