Austrian National Bank launches phishing simulation and nationwide intergenerational fraud prevention project days for schools and seniors

The Austrian National Bank has launched two financial education initiatives to strengthen safe online payments and fraud prevention in Austria: a participatory phishing simulation with the University of Vienna and intergenerational project days organised with the police. The programmes target upper secondary and vocational schools nationwide and also involve senior citizens, combining practical training with research and exchange across age groups. Under the phishing initiative, students take part voluntarily in a realistic simulation that runs in the background for three months after a short registration, with optional classroom follow-up. The project will analyse click behaviour to support fraud prevention research and help participants identify fraudulent messages more effectively. The project days, first run last year, are now being rolled out nationwide through local police services and can be held in schools and senior facilities using free materials provided by the Austrian National Bank and the police. Registration for both initiatives is now open, and schools can choose to join either project or both.