Got an SMS about a debt to the municipality? Don't rush to pay – it's a scam

Fake SMS messages impersonating local authorities demand payment of property tax, water bills, or parking fines via a fraudulent link. Municipalities in Haifa, Ofakim, and Kochav Yair–Tzur Yigal have issued warnings to residents. An expert explains that the scam exploits trust and pressure, and recommends verifying any debt independently with the authority.

In recent days, fake SMS messages have been circulated to residents in several Israeli cities, including Haifa, Ofakim, and Kochav Yair–Tzur Yigal. The messages, which appear to be sent from the local authority, demand immediate payment of an alleged debt for property tax, water, parking fines, or waste disposal fees. Some messages included threats of late payment interest, bank account seizure, wage or property attachment, and even opening an enforcement file, aiming to increase pressure on the recipient. Local authorities have issued official warnings and clarified that this is a fraud attempt. Yoav Keren, CEO of the cybersecurity company BrandShield, explained that the choice of local authorities is not coincidental: the fraud relies on a combination of trust and pressure. According to him, the types of debts appearing in the messages – property tax, water, and parking fines – make them more credible, as these are familiar charges that residents might indeed receive. Keren recommended not clicking on payment links received in unexpected messages, and to verify any debt independently with the authority through the official website or phone hotline.