Cyprus Police are warning the public about a new phishing scam exploiting the current tax filing season by falsely promising tax refunds via SMS and email.
The scam involves mass messages claiming to be from the Tax Department, stating that after a supposed tax review, the recipient is entitled to a refund of €328.81. The message includes a link and instructs the user to confirm their personal details.
However, the link leads to a fraudulent website designed to steal banking and personal data.
The new phishing scam is carefully timed to coincide with the widespread filing of tax returns, making it more likely to deceive unsuspecting users.
Authorities are reminding the public that:
- No government body or tax authority ever sends messages asking for banking details via links.
- Users should never enter information on websites that are not clearly official.
- Suspicious messages should be ignored and deleted immediately.
If you have already submitted your information through such a link, police urge you to contact your bank immediately and notify the Cybercrime Division.
Protection guidelines:
- Always check the sender’s email address or phone number.
- Hover over links to verify their legitimacy before clicking.
- Use two-factor authentication for all your online accounts.
- Never share personal or banking details via email or on unverified websites.
- Stay informed through official government sources only.
Anyone who suspects that their bank data has been compromised should act quickly to prevent misuse of their accounts or available funds.
Read also: Online scam in Paphos: €17,000 stolen via phishing link
For more videos and updates, check out our YouTube channel.
