Phone scams posing as the State Tax Service mislead citizens into sharing SMS codes, risking account access
Phone fraud attempts have increased, with scammers posing as officials from public institutions or banks. The State Tax Service (SFS) warns that callers persuade citizens to share SMS codes, which can lead to unauthorised account access or loans being taken out in their names.
Scammers use a seemingly credible script. They tell victims to expect an urgent delivery, sometimes claiming it comes from the State Tax Service, and ask them to confirm it by sharing an SMS code.
Under this pretext, attackers try to access sensitive data or carry out financial actions in the victim’s name.
“In these calls, victims are told about a supposed shipment and asked to confirm same day delivery,” the State Tax Service said.
The scheme continues with follow up calls, where scammers change the pretext and increase pressure, even claiming the existence of loans.
“They cite a supposed loan request submitted and approved in the victim’s name, trying to extract more information or mislead them,” the institution added.
The tax authority emphasised that these actions have no relation to the institution and cautioned against the misuse of its identity.
"Malicious actors abuse the institution's identity, and these messages do not originate from the institution," reads the statement.
The authority emphasized that such requests should raise immediate concern.
“The State Tax Service never asks for verification codes sent by SMS through phone calls or messages,” it warned.
SFS representatives urge citizens not to share such information, to report suspicious calls immediately, and to verify information only through official sources.
