Beware of hoax emails, letters and scam phone calls purporting to be from DG TAXUD

In these scams, fraudsters often pose as tax officials or claim to act as tax and customs collectors on behalf of DG TAXUD, illegally using the European Commission’s or DG TAXUD’s logo and impersonating staff members to make their messages appear authentic. They frequently promise financial transfers in exchange for a fee or request your personal and financial information. 

In many cases, if you’ve previously been targeted by a scam, these criminals may have retained your contact details and the exact amount you lost. They may reach out again, pretending to represent DG TAXUD, and claim they can help you recover the funds. The fact that they cite the exact sum can make the message seem credible — but this is simply another layer of the scam. 

Be aware: DG TAXUD never offers or requests money transfers to or from individuals, nor does it recover funds lost through fraud. DG TAXUD is responsible for policy on taxation and customs — it does not intervene in personal financial disputes or cryptocurrency scams. 

The European Commission does not collect taxes from individuals or companies — this is the sole responsibility of national tax authorities.  

What to watch out for: 

• Suspicious bank account details
• Incorrect or outdated logos
• Incorrect address
• Fake email addresses or domain names
• False website links 

Only official DG TAXUD emails come from addresses ending in @ec.europa.eu. The correct DG TAXUD website is: https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/   

If you receive a suspicious message: 

• Do not respond or follow any instructions.
• Report the incident to your national crime or cybercrime authority. 

Remember: DG TAXUD staff do not call, email, or contact individuals to request or offer money under any circumstances. Stay alert and protect your personal information.