Time and again, fraudsters try to obtain personal information from citizens, e.g. by sending fraudulent emails, text messages or letters in the name of the tax authorities. For example, ELSTER (ELSTER security information), the tax office or the Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt) are simulated as the sender. In these messages, recipients are usually asked to open an attached file that is supposedly a tax assessment notice or an invoice. Details of the individual letters can be found on the BZSt website - Warning of attempted fraud.
Please note:
- The tax administration only sends you notifications, but never the actual tax data or invoices in the form of an email attachment.
- Fraudsters are currently trying to obtain information from citizens, particularly by e-mail or using fake ELSTER-related websites. They send emails in the name of ELSTER with titles such as "Dunning procedure initiated", "Notification of your current crypto holdings", "Income tax refund", "Refund ready for payment", "Official notification on income tax".
- Never open attachments that you are not sure come from a trustworthy source
- The tax authorities will never request information such as your tax number, bank account details, credit card numbers, PIN or the answer to your security question in an email
- Do not click on an embedded link in an e-mail if you are in any doubt that the e-mail originates from the tax authorities
- General tips on how to use the Internet and current warnings can be found on the website of the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI).
Further information can be found here.