Brussels – Europeans, beware! Scams involving the European Central Bank are currently circulating… originating from Italy, a country no stranger to activities of this nature. The ECB has been forced to post a warning on its website urging people to protect themselves against fraud. Specifically, the warning states: “In Italy, some fraudsters are posing as the European System of Financial Supervision (SEVIF),” complete with logos and web addresses skilfully reproduced for fraudulent purposes. The fraudsters, the ECB’s warning message continues, “contact their victims by telephone or email, falsely claiming that they must pay taxes or fees to recoup losses arising from online trading.”
In light of this activity recorded in Italy, the Eurotower explains to the public that “the ECB will never ask you for investments, money, or personal information,” and, similarly, “SEVIF never requests such payments.” Having clarified this, the advice for citizens and users is “to not respond to these communications and report them immediately to the relevant authorities.”
The European System of Financial Supervision (ESFS) is a network comprising the three European supervisory authorities—the European Banking Authority (EBA), the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), and the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA)—together with the European Systemic Risk Board and the national supervisory authorities. ESFS’s primary task is to ensure consistent and appropriate financial supervision across the EU.
English version by the Translation Service of Withub
