"The Tax and Customs Authority warns taxpayers about the circulation of fake emails and SMS messages sent by people impersonating the institution," reads a statement shared on the Finance Portal. According to the Treasury Department, "these fraudulent communications include malicious links and aim to obtain personal or banking data, in a scheme known as phishing."

The Tax Authority points to security recommendations and advises that, to protect citizens, they:

- Only send emails from addresses ending in @at.gov.pt;

- Never send emails or SMS with links to enter, change, or confirm personal or tax data;

- Never request payments through links sent by email or SMS.

Furthermore: "All communications and digital operations with the Tax Authority must be carried out exclusively through the Finance Portal."

"When accessing, always confirm that the address begins with https://, ensuring a secure connection. After authentication, taxpayers can consult their personal and tax data, including declarations, payment documents, and processes

According to the Treasury Department, "communications sent centrally by the Tax Authority are available on the Finance Portal, where taxpayers can securely access all messages." "To consult them, simply log in, authenticate, and in the side menu, select the 'Communications' option," reads the note published on the Finance Portal.

"The Tax Authority only sends informational communications to taxpayers who have activated the sending of emails and SMS and whose contacts (email and mobile phone) have been confirmed on the Finance Portal," it also reads.