In brief

• CERT Polska warns about a fake platform impersonating a government website.
• Scammers send messages about a supposed tax refund to steal personal data.
• The warning applies to every recipient of such a message, especially people settling their taxes with the tax office.

How the scam works

Criminals use a platform that visually resembles an official government website. They send potential victims messages informing them about a supposed tax refund, counting on a quick reaction from recipients. After entering the counterfeit site, the user is asked to provide data that the scammers will then use further (Oszustwo na zwrot podatku. CERT Polska ostrzega | TVN24 Biznes – tvn24.pl).

CERT Polska warning

The CERT Polska team, which operates under the state and deals with responding to internet threats, cautions that this type of action exploits time pressure. The perpetrator assumes that the recipient will immediately believe in the refund due to them and react without thinking. The warning covers everyone who receives such a message, especially people settling their taxes with the tax office.

What to watch out for

Fake messages are characterized by emphasis on urgency and a request to enter data on a website to which the link in the message leads. Offices do not transfer refunds via links in SMS messages or emails asking you to log in. Before providing any data, it is worth checking the website address and logging in only through official channels.