The Judicial Police is alerting taxpayers to a scam campaign that uses the name of the Tax and Customs Authority. The fraudulent messages promise IRS refunds worth between €3,936 and €7,989, informing that the transfer will be made within three business days. The promise of quick money serves as bait to direct victims to fake pages controlled by the criminals.
The scammers create urgency by indicating that there is only one week to complete an authentication process. The messages include threats of temporary access suspension and requests to confirm refund data, seeking to convince the recipient that postponing the response may prevent receiving the money. The expression "Welcome to the AT authentication service" is used to reinforce the official appearance of the communication.
The PJ's recommendation is clear: do not click on links, do not provide personal or banking data, and do not follow the steps indicated in suspicious messages. Confirmation should be made through official channels, such as the Tax Portal, the e-counter, or the Telephone Service Center through the number 217 206 707, without using the routes suggested in fraudulent communications.
The Tax Authority itself had already issued an alert in August about the abusive use of its name in fake emails, SMS, and telephone calls. The PJ appeals for the reporting of these situations and the sharing of alerts to help other taxpayers recognize the scheme.
