Official mail moves to Suomi.fi Messages – learn to tell genuine official mail from scam messages

Phishing messages sent in the name of Suomi.fi have been circulating for some time. From 14 April, official mail will primarily be delivered via Suomi.fi Messages. As the change takes effect and the number of users increases, it is important to learn how to tell genuine Suomi.fi messages from phishing attempts.

Official emails sent via Suomi.fi never direct users to authenticate themselves through a link. Phishing messages often contain a link to a website that asks for online banking details or sensitive personal data. The service should always be accessed using its official web address.

"As official mail becomes primarily digital, it is important to be able to tell genuine messages from scams. An official email from Suomi.fi never contains a link directing you to sign in to the service. If a message sent in the name of Suomi.fi contains such a link, it is a phishing message that criminals are using to try to obtain sensitive information, such as personal or banking details," says Roni Kokkola, Information Security Specialist at the National Cyber Security Centre Finland at Traficom.

When the change takes effect, anyone who signs in to a public authority's digital service will be directed to activate Suomi.fi Messages. An electronic mailbox is always created using strong identification. It will not be activated in the background or without the person's knowledge.

People who use digital services and wish to return to paper mail after activating Suomi.fi Messages must select this option separately in the Suomi.fi Messages settings. Mail from public authorities will not be delivered both as a paper letter and electronically at the same time.