Authority scams (police, Tax, Traficom)

Threatening messages sent in the name of the police

Text messages have been sent in the name of the police, showing a sender such as KRP or POL-KRP.

• The message frightens you with a summons to questioning or with penalties to make you click the link.
• The link opens a fake page with the police logo, made to phish for banking credentials.
• People have also been frightened by email with, for example, a traffic fine.
• The police and the National Cyber Security Centre do not send such threatening messages.

In the name of the Tax Administration and other authorities

Scammers also exploit the names of the Tax Administration, Traficom and registration authorities.

• In the tax authority’s name, an extra tax refund is promised that "requires" you to confirm your details.
• In Traficom’s name, a forged overdue invoice is sent, often followed by a call in the bank’s name.
• Businesses receive requests to update their details in the name of Statistics Finland or the business register.

What authorities never do

• An authority never asks for banking credentials or payment details via a link in a text message or email.
• An authority does not threaten you with fines or arrest if you do not click the link immediately.
• Always handle matters yourself by looking up the authority’s official pages, for example vero.fi or poliisi.fi.
• If you receive a threatening message, do not click the link and verify the matter yourself with the official body.

What to do if you suspect or fall victim to a scam

• Contact your bank immediately if you gave out your payment or bank details or lost money. Acting quickly may stop the payment.
• File a police report at poliisi.fi if you have lost money.
• Report suspicious messages, calls or websites to the National Cyber Security Centre Finland.
• Victim Support Finland helps and advises victims at 116 006.