Local Authorities Warn of Municipal Payment Scam Targeting Residents

The Union of Local Authorities in Israel is alerting the public to a widespread payment scam that has been circulating in recent weeks. Residents across the country have reportedly received SMS and digital messages impersonating official payment demands from their local municipalities. These fraudulent messages claim residents owe money for various municipal services, including property taxes (arnona), water bills, and other local charges, and direct recipients to a link to settle the supposed debts.

Clicking on these links and entering credit card details could lead to sensitive information falling into the hands of scammers, potentially resulting in identity theft and unauthorized charges. The Union of Local Authorities urges the public not to pay via links received in such messages, even if they appear to originate from their municipality.

Instead, individuals who receive a payment demand are advised to independently access their local authority's official website or personal portal to verify any outstanding payments. Residents should refrain from providing credit card or personal information through suspicious links before confirming they are using an official payment channel. For those using the MuniBox digital wallet, payments can be checked and made directly through the PayBox app, bypassing any links sent via message.

In cases of doubt, the Union emphasizes that residents should avoid clicking on any suspicious links and should always verify payment demands through the official channels of their local authority.