French police warning over email 'phishing' scam

Police have issued a warning after internet users received a so-called 'phishing' email claiming to be from the Direction Générale des Finances Publiques attempting to get key personal details.

The email urges recipients to apply for a €1,500 grant from the Covid-19 solidarity fund for small businesses.

The email invites them to click on a link to access the online application area. The link sends them to a page that looks very similar to the official government impots website. Unwitting victims could then reveal personal information that criminals could take advantage of, including contact and bank details, and passwords

Officials said the tax office never asks for bank details by email or telephone.

Police advised that people check the email address of the sender and do not click on the link. Do not reply to the email as a response will prove the address is active. Simply delete - or report to the internet-signalement.gouv.fr website.