Watch Out for Phony Tax Documents: Identifying Deceptive Declarations
Article:
A new wave of fake tax notices is circulating, claiming to be from the Federal Central Tax Office (Bundeszentralamt für Steuern) of Germany. These fraudulent letters demand late fees for allegedly overdue taxes and require immediate payment within a short timeframe.
Recipients, beware. The Bavarian Tax Assistance (Lohi) advises close inspection of these letters to reveal several discrepancies. For instance, different dates may appear on separate pages, and the sender's fields and footnotes may vary. Legitimate tax notices typically address individuals by name, while these fake ones begin with a generic "Dear taxpayer."
In addition, it is essential to note that the local tax office is responsible for handling tax returns, not the Federal Central Tax Office. If there seems to be a claim against you, contact your local tax office for confirmation.
Moreover, remember that no German authority maintains accounts overseas. The account number provided for payment often starts with "ES" for Spain, whereas a genuine German IBAN would initiate with "DE."
If you've checked all these points and still find no inconsistencies, it's prudent to reach out to your local tax office to confirm whether there is indeed a claim against you.
Sources: ntv.de, awi/dpa
To avoid tax scams, authentic communiques from the Federal Central Tax Office are typically delivered via traditional mail or official channels like the ElsterPortal. They provide specific details about your tax situation and include a reference number and information about the tax type. In contrast, fake notices often lack these details.
Scammers frequently create a sense of urgency to prompt immediate action. Legitimate notices usually offer adequate time for response. The Federal Central Tax Office generally does not request payments via email or unofficial channels, so it's best to contact them directly using their official website's contact information if you receive a notice requesting payment.
Stay vigilant and keep an eye out for warnings from law enforcement about common scams, such as fake emails claiming to be from the Federal Central Tax Office. By following these steps, you can help protect yourself from falling victim to these scams.
- It's crucial to be aware that the Federal Central Tax Office (Bundeszentralamt für Steuern) in Germany typically delivers official communiques through traditional mail or official channels like the ElsterPortal, providing specific details about tax situations and including a reference number and information about the tax type.
- The finance, business, and general-news sectors often warn against scams involving fake emails claiming to be from the Federal Central Tax Office, requesting immediate payment for non-existent debts or using incorrect account information, such as beginning with "ES" for Spain instead of the genuine German IBAN number (DE). Stay vigilant and keep an eye out for such scams to protect yourself.
