How to identify fake Direction générale des Finances publiques emails

What kind of email is "Direction Générale Des Finances Publiques"?

After inspecting this "Direction Générale Des Finances Publiques" email, we determined that it is fake. This message is presented as a notification regarding the recipient's documents on the General Directorate of Public Finances, a branch of the Ministry of Economics and Finance. Typically, emails of this kind seek to extract vulnerable information or trick victims into sending money to scammers.

"Direction Générale Des Finances Publiques" email scam overview

According to a rough translation from French, this spam email is disguised as an alert from France's General Directorate of Public Finances (DGFiP). This fake message notifies the recipient that new documents are available and can be viewed directly from their personal account at impots.gouv.fr (the legitimate domain of the DGFiP). However, the webpage promoted through this email – dgfipnotice.myddns[.]me – is an imitator (note that other domains are not unlikely).

It must be emphasized that this fraudulent notification is not associated with the real General Directorate of Public Finances (Direction Générale Des Finances Publiques) or its overseer – Ministry of Economics, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty (Ministère de l'Économie, des Finances et de la Souveraineté industrielle et numérique), nor any other legitimate authorities and entities.

At the time of research, while the endorsed website was up – it was not functional. This page states that the user is eligible to receive a tax refund of 485 EUR. The sum can be claimed by accessing personal files through the provided link and updating the information therein. However, the site failed to redirect anywhere during our analysis. Keep in mind that this could be rectified (i.e., the emails redirecting to operational webpages).

Based on the complexity of this lure, it is unlikely that this spam campaign targeted something as standard as email account log-in credentials. While the fake website warned the user against responding to emails requesting copies of their identification (e.g., ID card or passport photos/scans), it is not unlikely that the scam was intended to collect personally identifiable information.

The goal could also have been to acquire finance-related data, such as online bank account log-in credentials, banking account details, credit/debit card numbers, etc. Other possibilities include scammers attempting to trick victims into sending them money directly or this scheme operating as a refund scam.

To summarize, by trusting scam mail like this fake "Direction Générale Des Finances Publiques" email – users can experience severe privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.

If you have disclosed your log-in credentials – change the passwords of all possibly exposed accounts and inform their official support without delay. And if you have provided personally identifiable or finance-related data to scammers – immediately contact the appropriate authorities.

Spam campaigns in general

Spam campaigns are used to endorse various scams and to proliferate all kinds of malware. While these emails are often poorly made and full of spelling/grammatical mistakes, they can be competently made and even convincingly disguised as messages from legitimate entities (e.g., authorities, institutions, organizations, service providers, companies, etc.).

"Standard Bank - VAT Increase", "Your Cloud Storage Is Full", "Unclaimed Prize", "DocuSign - Signature Requested", "IMAP/POP3 Mail Delivery Incomplete", "Sign-in From Unauthorized Geolocation", "Internet Fraudsters Arrested", "Criminals Attempted To Redirect Your Funds", "Chase - Transfer Is Processing And Will Be Deducted", and "DHL - Customs Clearance" are just some of our newest articles on spam mail.

How do spam campaigns infect computers?

Spam campaigns commonly proliferate malware through virulent files attached to or linked inside the emails/messages. These files come in various formats, e.g., documents (Microsoft Office, Microsoft OneNote, PDF, etc.), archives (ZIP, RAR, etc.), executables (.exe, .run, etc.), JavaScript, and so on.

Merely opening an infectious file can be enough to jumpstart malware download/installation. However, some formats require additional actions to trigger infection processes. For example, Microsoft Office files need users to enable macro commands (i.e., editing/content), while OneNote documents require them to click on embedded links or files.

How to avoid installation of malware?

We highly recommend vigilance with incoming emails, PMs/DMs, SMSes, and other messages. Attachments or links present in suspect/irrelevant mail must not be opened, as they can be virulent.

It must be mentioned that malware is proliferated using various techniques. Therefore, be careful while browsing since the Internet is rife with deceptive and dangerous content.

Additionally, all downloads must be performed from official and trustworthy sources. Another recommendation is to activate and update software using legitimate functions/tools, as illegal activation tools ("cracks") and third-party updates can contain malware.

It is essential to have a reputable anti-virus installed and kept up-to-date. Security programs must be used to run regular system scans and to remove threats/issues. If you've already opened malicious attachments, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate infiltrated malware.

Text presented in the "Direction Générale Des Finances Publiques" spam email letter:

Nouveaux documents disponibles

Bonjour,

Vous avez opté pour la consultation de vos documents directement dans votre espace particulier sur impots.gouv.fr.

Les documents sont disponibles dès aujourd'hui sur impots.gouv.fr ou sur l'application mobile impots.gouv :

Consultez maintenant

Nous vous remercions de votre attention.

La Direction générale des Finances publiques.

Screenshot of the fake Direction générale des Finances publiques website promoted by this spam campaign:

Text presented on this webpage:

Bonjour,

Après réévaluation fiscale et processus algorithmique de notre système suite aux opérations de régularisation de la DGFiP sur vos prélèvements bancaires et compte tenu du montant de l'impôt réel à payer, nous vous informons que vous êtes à ce jour admissible à recevoir un remboursement pour un trop perçu.

En second lieu, nous avons l'honneur de vous informer du montant perceptible pour votre remboursement fiscal :
Montant: 485,00 €
Référence dossier: N0062405129
Veuillez accéder à votre dossier personnel et mettre à jour vos coordonnées, afin de nous permettre de traiter votre remboursement.
A cet égard vous pouvez entamer la procédure de restitution via le lien sécurisé du formulaire ci-dessous:

Cliquez-ici : Formulaire de remboursement

Notez bien que la resttitution de la dite somme sera effectuée de facon instantanée à la fin du processus d'enregistrement sur votre compte bancaire via votre carte bleue.

1.Notification depuis votre application banque mobile.

2.Validez la reception des fonds.

3.Fonds disponible sur votre compte bancaire 24H apres validation

Nous vous remercions de votre attention.
La Direction générale des Finances publiques

Connaissez-vous le droit à l'erreur ?

Pour plus d'information, rendez vous sur oups.gouv.fr

Pour votre sécurité:

ne répondez jamais à un courriel vous demandant une copie de vos pièces d'identité.
vérifiez toujours l'adresse de l'expéditeur des messages avant de les ouvrir. Pour la DGFiP, la partie droite de l'adresse doit être égale à @dgfip.finances.gouv.fr. Sinon, il s'agit d'un message frauduleux.
renseignez et validez votre numéro de téléphone portable sur impots.gouv.fr pour protéger l'accès à votre espace particulier.

impots.gouv.fr est un site de la girection générale des Finances publiques

Instant automatic malware removal:

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Quick menu:

• What is "Direction Générale Des Finances Publiques" spam email?
• Types of malicious emails.
• How to spot a malicious email?
• What to do if you fell for an email scam?

Types of malicious emails:

Phishing Emails

Most commonly, cybercriminals use deceptive emails to trick Internet users into giving away their sensitive private information, for example, login information for various online services, email accounts, or online banking information.

Such attacks are called phishing. In a phishing attack, cybercriminals usually send an email message with some popular service logo (for example, Microsoft, DHL, Amazon, Netflix), create urgency (wrong shipping address, expired password, etc.), and place a link which they hope their potential victims will click on.

After clicking the link presented in such email message, victims are redirected to a fake website that looks identical or extremely similar to the original one. Victims are then asked to enter their password, credit card details, or some other information that gets stolen by cybercriminals.

Emails with Malicious Attachments

Another popular attack vector is email spam with malicious attachments that infect users' computers with malware. Malicious attachments usually carry trojans that are capable of stealing passwords, banking information, and other sensitive information.

In such attacks, cybercriminals' main goal is to trick their potential victims into opening an infected email attachment. To achieve this goal, email messages usually talk about recently received invoices, faxes, or voice messages.

If a potential victim falls for the lure and opens the attachment, their computers get infected, and cybercriminals can collect a lot of sensitive information.

While it's a more complicated method to steal personal information (spam filters and antivirus programs usually detect such attempts), if successful, cybercriminals can get a much wider array of data and can collect information for a long period of time.

Sextortion Emails

This is a type of phishing. In this case, users receive an email claiming that a cybercriminal could access the webcam of the potential victim and has a video recording of one's masturbation.

To get rid of the video, victims are asked to pay a ransom (usually using Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency). Nevertheless, all of these claims are false - users who receive such emails should ignore and delete them.

How to spot a malicious email?

While cyber criminals try to make their lure emails look trustworthy, here are some things that you should look for when trying to spot a phishing email:

• Check the sender's ("from") email address: Hover your mouse over the "from" address and check if it's legitimate. For example, if you received an email from Microsoft, be sure to check if the email address is @microsoft.com and not something suspicious like @m1crosoft.com, @microsfot.com, @account-security-noreply.com, etc.
• Check for generic greetings: If the greeting in the email is "Dear user", "Dear @youremail.com", "Dear valued customer", this should raise suspiciousness. Most commonly, companies call you by your name. Lack of this information could signal a phishing attempt.
• Check the links in the email: Hover your mouse over the link presented in the email, if the link that appears seems suspicious, don't click it. For example, if you received an email from Microsoft and the link in the email shows that it will go to firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0... you shouldn't trust it. It's best not to click any links in the emails but to visit the company website that sent you the email in the first place.
• Don't blindly trust email attachments: Most commonly, legitimate companies will ask you to log in to their website and to view any documents there; if you received an email with an attachment, it's a good idea to scan it with an antivirus application. Infected email attachments are a common attack vector used by cybercriminals.

To minimise the risk of opening phishing and malicious emails we recommend using Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows. 

Example of a spam email:

What to do if you fell for an email scam?

• If you clicked on a link in a phishing email and entered your password - be sure to change your password as soon as possible. Usually, cybercriminals collect stolen credentials and then sell them to other groups that use them for malicious purposes. If you change your password in a timely manner, there's a chance that criminals won't have enough time to do any damage.
• If you entered your credit card information - contact your bank as soon as possible and explain the situation. There's a good chance that you will need to cancel your compromised credit card and get a new one.
• If you see any signs of identity theft - you should immediately contact the Federal Trade Commission. This institution will collect information about your situation and create a personal recovery plan.
• If you opened a malicious attachment - your computer is probably infected, you should scan it with a reputable antivirus application. For this purpose, we recommend using  Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows.
• Help other Internet users - report phishing emails to Anti-Phishing Working Group, FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, National Fraud Information Center and U.S. Department of Justice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why did I receive this email?

Spam emails are not personal, even if they include information relevant to the recipients. This mail is sent out in mass-scale campaigns – therefore, thousands of users receive identical or similar emails.

I have provided my personal information when tricked by this spam email, what should I do?

If you have provided your log-in credentials – change the passwords of all potentially compromised accounts and inform their official support. However, if you have disclosed other private information (e.g., ID card details, passport photos/scans, credit/debit card numbers, etc.) – immediately contact the appropriate authorities.

I have read a spam email but didn't open the attachment, is my computer infected?

Reading an email will not initiate malware download/installation processes. Systems are infected when malicious attachments or links are opened/clicked.

I have downloaded and opened a file attached to a spam email, is my computer infected?

Whether the device was compromised might depend on the format of the opened file. Executables cause infections almost without fail (upon being opened). However, some formats – like documents – require additional actions to initiate infection processes (e.g., enabling macros, clicking embedded content, etc.).

Will Combo Cleaner remove malware infections present in email attachments?

Combo Cleaner is designed to scan systems and eliminate all kinds of threats. It is capable of detecting and removing most of the known malware infections. Remember that performing a complete system scan is paramount since high-end malicious software typically hides deep within systems.