How to avoid being the victim of tax scams in France this Autumn
French tax authorities have issued a warning to the public to be aware of scams, especially in the autumn when tax rebates are due. Here is how to know whether a message is fraudulent.
Fake emails informing you of a refund
Some scam emails can appear to be very professional. They might even include the letterhead for French tax authorities or a link to the impots.gouv.fr website.
Often, email scams will imitate an official letter, using a fake signature or stamp at the bottom. These emails might inform you that you are owed a refund.
Even though the content might look legitimate, these emails are obvious scams. According to France's Directorate General for Public Finances (DGFiP), tax authorities will "never send you any emails inviting you to visit an online form to obtain a refund (or to review your tax situation) without first logging into your personal, authenticated online space."
In order to authenticate the email, check the domaine of the email address. Fiscal authorities will only use "@dgfip.finances.gouv.fr."
READ MORE: Warning: 6 of the most common scams in France to watch out for
"Any other form of address is indicative of malicious intent," according to French tax authorities.
A general tip is to pay attention to any signs that could indicate a fraudulent message or email. These might include spelling or syntax errors, requests for detailed information about you, your company company or bank details.
Fraudulent SMS messages referencing fines
The DGFiP "never sends out text messages in the event of non-payment." Typically, these types of scams will warn you that you have some type of unpaid fine, bill or penalty that you must click a link to pay.
Tax authorities will not send out messages asking for payment, and generally you should not click on any links you receive in a text message telling you that you owe a bill, fine or tax.
If you have any doubts, feel free to contact the relevant tax department via an official channel, such as your personal online tax account, by email or by telephone.
READ MORE: 7 top tips for dealing with the French tax office
Fake premium rate phone numbers
Some websites have begun to list incorrect phone numbers to contact French tax offices.
Frequently, these are premium rate numbers - such as 0899 or 0891 - that will charge you a fee for calling.
The DGFiP is working to have these numbers shut down, but individual tax centres would use normal, local numbers that begin with 01, 02, 03, 04, or 05.
The single toll-free number for the DGFiP is 0 809 401 401, which may appear similar to the incorrect numbers listed above. As such, you should pay close attention to the number listed. The DGFiP toll-free number is available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 7pm.
Scams targeting businesses
There are a few scams that are specifically targeting businesses and workers. The first is a fake DGFiP email using fake forms as attachments that you should return and fill out.
French tax authorities first saw this scam appear at the end of June, and steps are being taken to put an end to the scam.
If you have any doubt, you can reach out to the DGFiP on its contact page under 'Professionel' for businesses.
The second scam targeting companies and employees is the 'False Transfer Order'. In this scam, fraudsters collect data on the company, like the names of employees and managers, as well as banks used.
Then, the scammers will pretend to be a manager or by taking on the identity of a real creditor. Sometimes they will impersonate an IT technician. They will then request that an accountant or financial worker make an 'urgent' transfer in his/her name. If the funds are transferred, then they will not be able to be recovered.
These types of scams might be done by post, phone or email.
In order to avoid and recognise this scam, ask yourself if the person reaching out is behaving unusually or if the nature of the request is different than normal procedure (perhaps a change in contact details).
READ MORE: What to do if you have fallen victim to a scam in France
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Fake emails informing you of a refund
Some scam emails can appear to be very professional. They might even include the letterhead for French tax authorities or a link to the impots.gouv.fr website.
Often, email scams will imitate an official letter, using a fake signature or stamp at the bottom. These emails might inform you that you are owed a refund.
Even though the content might look legitimate, these emails are obvious scams. According to France's Directorate General for Public Finances (DGFiP), tax authorities will "never send you any emails inviting you to visit an online form to obtain a refund (or to review your tax situation) without first logging into your personal, authenticated online space."
In order to authenticate the email, check the domaine of the email address. Fiscal authorities will only use "@dgfip.finances.gouv.fr."
READ MORE: Warning: 6 of the most common scams in France to watch out for
"Any other form of address is indicative of malicious intent," according to French tax authorities.
A general tip is to pay attention to any signs that could indicate a fraudulent message or email. These might include spelling or syntax errors, requests for detailed information about you, your company company or bank details.
Fraudulent SMS messages referencing fines
The DGFiP "never sends out text messages in the event of non-payment." Typically, these types of scams will warn you that you have some type of unpaid fine, bill or penalty that you must click a link to pay.
Tax authorities will not send out messages asking for payment, and generally you should not click on any links you receive in a text message telling you that you owe a bill, fine or tax.
If you have any doubts, feel free to contact the relevant tax department via an official channel, such as your personal online tax account, by email or by telephone.
READ MORE: 7 top tips for dealing with the French tax office
Fake premium rate phone numbers
Some websites have begun to list incorrect phone numbers to contact French tax offices.
Frequently, these are premium rate numbers - such as 0899 or 0891 - that will charge you a fee for calling.
The DGFiP is working to have these numbers shut down, but individual tax centres would use normal, local numbers that begin with 01, 02, 03, 04, or 05.
The single toll-free number for the DGFiP is 0 809 401 401, which may appear similar to the incorrect numbers listed above. As such, you should pay close attention to the number listed. The DGFiP toll-free number is available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 7pm.
Scams targeting businesses
There are a few scams that are specifically targeting businesses and workers. The first is a fake DGFiP email using fake forms as attachments that you should return and fill out.
French tax authorities first saw this scam appear at the end of June, and steps are being taken to put an end to the scam.
If you have any doubt, you can reach out to the DGFiP on its contact page under 'Professionel' for businesses.
The second scam targeting companies and employees is the 'False Transfer Order'. In this scam, fraudsters collect data on the company, like the names of employees and managers, as well as banks used.
Then, the scammers will pretend to be a manager or by taking on the identity of a real creditor. Sometimes they will impersonate an IT technician. They will then request that an accountant or financial worker make an 'urgent' transfer in his/her name. If the funds are transferred, then they will not be able to be recovered.
These types of scams might be done by post, phone or email.
In order to avoid and recognise this scam, ask yourself if the person reaching out is behaving unusually or if the nature of the request is different than normal procedure (perhaps a change in contact details).
READ MORE: What to do if you have fallen victim to a scam in France
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