Be Wary of Deceptive Tax Documents - Identifying Falsified Claims
Warning: Be Wary of Fake Tax Notices
While it's not uncommon for tax authorities to demand late fees for overdue tax returns, consumers should exercise caution when receiving such demands, especially if they originate from the Federal Central Tax Office.
Reports indicate that fake tax notices, pretending to be from the Federal Central Tax Office, are circulating once more. These letters purportedly demand late fees for alleged missed tax returns, often amounting to hundreds of euros, with payment due within a short two-day deadline.
The Lohnsteuerhilfe Bayern (Lohi) offers several tips to identify these fraudulent communications:
- Inconsistencies in content: Although the letters may initially appear authentic, upon closer examination, inconsistencies may become noticeable. For example, different dates on separate pages are a common occurrence, as are discrepancies in sender's fields and footnotes.
- Nondescript greetings: Genuine tax notices usually address recipients by their full names. Fake letters, on the other hand, often use generic salutations like "Dear taxpayer."
- Unusual responsibilities: Local tax offices are typically responsible for handling tax returns, not national or federal tax authorities. If a claim against you is genuine, your local tax office should be the sender in such cases.
- Foreign account details: Remember that no German authority maintains accounts abroad. However, account details on these letters often begin with "ES" for Spain. A German IBAN would start with the letters "DE."
If you don't find inconsistencies in the points mentioned above, it's essential to contact your local tax office to confirm if the claim is legitimate. You can find their contact information online or through your latest tax notice.
Phishing scams, such as these fake tax notices, aim to steal personal information and money. To protect yourself, always be vigilant and familiarize yourself with official procedures for receiving tax notices. If you suspect fraud, cease all communication with the sender, do not share personal or financial details, and contact your tax authority directly using verified channels.
[Sources: ntv.de, awi/dpa]
- The given words 'finance' and 'business' could be included in a sentence as: "Fake tax notices are a form of financial fraud that can have significant repercussions for both individuals and businesses in the general-news sector."
- To incorporate the words 'Community policy' and 'crime-and-justice', a possible sentence could be: "To combat the rise of such crime-and-justice issues, community policies may be proposed to enhance public awareness and protect individuals from falling victim to these scams, as well as strengthening measures against identity theft and online fraud."
