# European tax authority phishing scams

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/european-tax-authority-phishing-scams
> Updated: 2026-08-20T17:38:01.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 2.

Authorities in Germany and Austria have issued warnings regarding various phishing scams impersonating tax and finance ministries.

In Baden-Württemberg, Germany, the Ministry of Finance alerted businesses to fraudulent emails claiming to be official tax-audit notices under §193 of the German Fiscal Code. These messages often use the term “Prüfungsanordnung” (audit order) and include malicious links or attachments intended to steal passwords and personal data.

Similarly, the Austrian Federal Ministry of Finance reported a surge in fraudulent activities using email, SMS, and social media. These schemes include false claims regarding family allowance (Familienbeihilfe) issues and threats of property seizure due to unpaid tax debts. In one reported instance in Carinthia, a victim lost over 10,000 euros after interacting with a phishing link.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-20: Austria Ministry of Finance warns of phishing scams

The Austrian Federal Ministry of Finance is warning citizens of widespread phishing scams targeting family allowances and tax information to steal banking credentials and personal data.

11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/austrian-ministry-of-finance-warns-of-family-allowance-phishing-scam

### 2026-07-25: Baden‑Württemberg Finance Ministry warns of fake tax‑audit phishing emails

Baden‑Württemberg’s finance ministry warns that fake tax‑audit emails are targeting companies, urging them not to open attachments or click links and to verify via official tax‑office contacts.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/badenwrttemberg-finance-ministry-warns-of-fake-taxaudit-phishing-emails

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Cite as: European tax authority phishing scams. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/european-tax-authority-phishing-scams