Israel's Center for Local Government issued a public warning Monday following reports of phishing messages sent to residents across the country impersonating official notices from municipal authorities. The messages demand payment and include a link to complete the transaction, but officials are urging recipients not to click.
In recent weeks, residents in various municipalities have reported receiving messages regarding arnona payments, municipal fees, water bills and other local charges.
The concern is that these messages are designed to make residents believe they owe money to their local council and to trick them into entering their payment details. According to the Center for Local Government, clicking the link and entering credit card information could expose residents to identity theft and unauthorized charges.
Following the reports, the Center for Local Government issued a clear recommendation: "Do not make payments through a link you received in a message."
Instead of using the link sent in the message, residents are advised to navigate independently to their municipality's official website or personal account area and check there whether any payment is actually outstanding. In addition, credit card or personal details should never be provided through a link received in a message before verifying that it is the official payment channel.
Residents who use the MuniBox digital wallet can also check their status without relying on a link received in a message. In the personal area on PayBox, users can view outstanding payments and those already completed, and make payments directly through the app.
The Center for Local Government emphasizes that in case of any doubt regarding a payment notice, do not click on the attached link. Navigate independently to the official channel of the local authority and check the payment details there.
