Common scams in Finland, explained in English
Most scam messages in Finland arrive in Finnish, dressed as the authorities and services everyone uses. This guide walks through the six you are most likely to meet, the Finnish words that appear in them, and how to check a message safely.
The one rule that beats all of them
Never log in, pay or confirm anything through a link in a message. Open the service's own app or type the address yourself. Every scam below depends on you using their link.
Suomi.fi and authority messages
Real notification emails from Suomi.fi never contain links or buttons. Fake versions claim an official document or a tax refund (veronpalautus) is waiting and include a button like 'Avaa viesti'. The sender's address is never @suomi.fi.
Posti and OmaPosti delivery texts
Fake delivery messages claim a parcel needs a customs payment (tullaus) or will be returned. The goal is your card details, not the small fee. When in doubt, open the OmaPosti app directly.
Klarna invoices and account update emails
Fake Klarna messages come as invoices for purchases you never made or as account-update emails with a 48-hour deadline. Real Klarna matters are visible in the Klarna app. Report fake messages on Klarna's own phishing page.
Bank messages
Fake bank emails claim a mandatory security update (tietoturvapäivitys) or a transfer to cancel, always with a login link. Finnish banks never ask you to log in through an email link.
Bank transfer scams
You are persuaded to send the money yourself: an invoice with new bank details, an urgent payment request from a colleague, or a marketplace deal. Call the sender back on a number you already know before paying.
Tax authority and Kela messages
Fake tax-refund (veronpalautus) and benefit (etuus) messages ask you to sign in or enter card details. Vero and Kela never send login links. Check matters yourself at vero.fi or kela.fi.
Next: test yourself with nine real-style emails · I already clicked a link