In a statement, ASAE says that in recent days “practices that amount to fraud attempts were detected and reported, carried out by sending fraudulent messages, associated with the banking entity 21800, and/or through telephone contacts, in order to intimidate economic operators”.

According to the authority, in this fraud attempt, “a certain amount was requested to pay a false fine, through an entity and bank reference and with the threat of closing the establishment”.

ASAE clarifies that “under no circumstances does it send messages to economic operators to pay fines”.

“All procedures are carried out through formal and legal channels, therefore, economic operators must not respond to any request from supposed messages and/or calls received”.