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Swedes’ opposition to euro hits record high

Nearly two thirds of Swedes say they are against adoption of the euro, the highest figure since polling began, according to a new survey from Statistics Sweden (Statistiska Centralbyrån - SCB).

Published: 15 June 2011 17:37 CEST

Swedes’ opposition to euro hits record high

If there had been a referendum on the euro in May 2011, 64 percent of Swedes would have voted against the euro while 24 percent would have voted in favour. 12 percent would have been undecided, according to a new poll from Statistics Sweden.

The number of those in favour of the eurozone has decreased in Sweden since November last year, while the number of Swedes who are against has increased.

However, the survey also shows that the majority of Swedes would have voted in favour of membership in the EU if there had been a referendum today.

52 percent said they would vote in favour, whereas 21 percent would have voted against and 27 percent were undecided, according to the survey.

Between November 2010 and May 2011 the number of those in favour of EU membership has decreased while the number against has increased.

When Sweden held a referendum on adopting the euro in September 2003, 55.9 percent voted against and 42 percent voted in favour.

When Sweden voted on EU membership in 1994, 52.3 percent were in favour and 46.8 percent of Swedes voted against.

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How to avoid falling victim to tax scams in Sweden

Anyone who earned more than 22,208 kronor last year received their tax returns digitally last week, marking the start of tax season.

That also means an expected peak in tax-related scams, Skatteverket warns.

Most of the scams are so-called phishing scams, meaning attempts to steal the victims’ personal information. Fraudsters may for example email a person, pretending to represent Skatteverket, and ask them for, among other things, their banking details.

“We’re seeing these in all channels. They use fake emails, SMS, letters and in some cases even phone calls. It is particularly common in tax declaration times – just when we’re about to send out the tax returns, the e-service opens and it’s possible to declare – but above all when it’s time for tax rebates,” Jan Janowski, a Skatteverket expert, told Swedish news agency TT.

A scam email might for example state that you’re entitled to a tax rebate and that you should click a link to receive it. Don’t click any links, open any attachments or reply to the message. Skatteverket advises that you immediately delete the email or text message.

Another common scam is that you receive a text message claiming to be from Skatteverket, telling you that you owe them money and you need to log in to calculate the amount. The website you’re urged to log in via does not belong to Skatteverket. Don’t click the link.

The agency stresses that it never asks people for their banking details. The exception is that you may be asked for your bank account information if you log into Skatteverket’s website to declare your taxes, but that always first requires you to log into the site.

To receive your tax rebate, you need to inform Skatteverket of your bank account number. You do this not by clicking a link in an email or SMS, but by logging into their website using a digital ID, for example BankID, and submitting your details. Only do this on your own initiative. If someone calls you and asks you to log in with your BankID during the phone call, don’t do it. That’s another common scam.

Skatteverket will also never call you to ask for your bank account or credit card number.

It will be possible to declare your taxes from March 19th. You’ll receive any tax rebate you’re owed by mid-April or early June, depending on when you submit your tax return. These are the dates when fraudsters are likely to attempt the most scams.

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