Prevention Bureau of the National Police Headquarters:

There are increasingly more media reports about scams using the “tourist voucher” method. The Polish Tourist Voucher is a form of financial support for Polish families with children, as well as for the domestic tourism industry. It was introduced by the Polish government in response to the difficult situation in this sector caused by the Covid-19 epidemic.

Criminals take every opportunity to extort money or personal data. Officers:

People who may be parents of underage children are currently in scammers’ sights. The perpetrators call potential victims and, posing for example as employees of the Ministry of Development, encourage them to take advantage of a “special holiday voucher offer,” informing them that, in order for the voucher to be sent, they must pay money into the indicated account for an additional four days of their holiday stay (allegedly three days are free as part of the voucher).

Banks describe a similar method of deceiving people, reporting that “scammers ask victims to log in to a website and pay part of the trip costs.” What is more, they may ask for the login and password to online banking or payment card details.

What should you remember?

  • Never, under any circumstances, disclose data that enables access to electronic banking (login, password)
  • Reliable and accurate information about the tourist voucher can be found on the bonturystyczny.gov.pl website and on the official websites of the Ministry of Development and the Polish Tourism Organisation
  • Employees of no ministry call anyone with a “special” holiday leisure offer
  • The Polish Tourist Voucher is available exclusively for children under 18 and can be activated independently in the PUE ZUS system, as clearly stated in announcements and information provided by the Ministry of Development
  • The tourist voucher will not take the form of cash; the funds will not be paid into parents’ accounts. It will be a digital benefit provided by the Social Insurance Institution, which tourism businesses or public benefit organisations registered with the Polish Tourism Organisation will be able to settle

NPHQ:

Let us therefore remember these simple rules and stay safe—thanks to thoughtful behaviour, both in the digital world and in our everyday activities. Let us remember that criminals resort to various methods, inventing stories, sending emails and text messages, calling, frightening people or asking for help.

The Police add:

Before deciding to send any money, it is always worth consulting another person, checking the information on the institution’s official website or seeking help from the Police.