Alert issued over emerging scam
Warning Issued Over Unsolicited Tax Payment Demands in Bremen and Bremerhaven
Residents and business owners in Bremen and Bremerhaven have been urged to be vigilant following reports of unsolicited tax payment demands circulating via email. The sender of these emails, 'Universum Inkasso GmbH', is not a recognised tax office or debt collection agency in the region.
According to the Bremen Finance Department, the tax offices in Bremen and Bremerhaven do not use debt collection agencies and do not send emails regarding debt collection. Official tax notices and reminders are typically sent via a tax notice letter, ELSTER mailbox, or letter from the State Treasury.
The payment demand, which is targeting business owners specifically, claims to be regarding alleged outstanding tax office debts. However, the specific nature of the debts is not specified in the email. The authenticity of 'Universum Inkasso GmbH' as a tax office or debt collection agency, specifically in relation to Bremen and Bremerhaven, is not confirmed.
In light of this, it is advisable to exercise caution when dealing with such emails. Avoid clicking on links or providing personal or financial information in response to unsolicited emails. If there is doubt about an email’s authenticity regarding tax debts, consulting the tax office or a legal advisor is recommended.
It is also important to check for signs of phishing, such as poor language, urgent payment demands, or suspicious sender addresses. The email attachment may contain malware and should not be opened.
The Bremen Finance Department has clarified that reminders for outstanding payments will be sent via the State Treasury by letter. The email demand should not be paid under any circumstances.
If you receive such an email, it is recommended that you contact the Bremen or Bremerhaven tax authorities directly through official phone numbers or official websites to verify its legitimacy. Stay safe and be wary of scams!
- In the realm of general-news, it's crucial to be aware that unsolicited tax payment demands, like the one purportedly from 'Universum Inkasso GmbH', should not be trusted, particularly for businesses in Bremen and Bremerhaven, since the Bremen Finance Department stated that the tax offices do not use debt collection agencies or send emails regarding debt collection.
- The Financially prudent approach in such a situation, when faced with an uncertain email, is to verify its authenticity by contacting the Bremen or Bremerhaven tax authorities directly through official phone numbers or official websites, as opposed to responding to unsolicited emails which may potentially lead to crime-and-justice related issues involving phishing and scam activities.
