The Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA) has published a plain-language seven-step checklist in its “Let’s talk about money” series to help users recognise and avoid fraudulent websites that claim to offer legitimate financial services or investment opportunities. The edition, titled “Check websites like a detective!”, is available for download online. The checklist urges users to review a site’s legal notice (Impressum), assess whether anything looks unusual about the URL, and verify that contact details are provided and align with the provider’s apparent registered office. It also encourages checking whether the provider holds an FMA licence, and treating unrealistic return promises or difficult-to-understand products as red flags, noting that scam sites often appear professionally designed and use targeted marketing, including for investment fraud and fake crypto platforms.
Austria Financial Market Authority 2025-09-30
Austrian Financial Market Authority publishes seven-step checklist to help consumers spot fraudulent financial services websites
The Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA) released a seven-step checklist to help users identify fraudulent financial websites. Part of the “Let’s talk about money” series, the checklist advises reviewing legal notices, verifying contact details, and checking for an FMA licence. It warns against unrealistic returns and complex products, noting that scam sites often appear professional.