The launch of the Cybercrime Helpline marks the second anniversary around the national holiday. Since then, the city of Vienna has been ensuring that victims of online crime are not left to fend for themselves. The helpline has already been able to give initial instructions and direct people to the appropriate professional advice center 2,080 times. The Cybercrime Helpline can be reached on 01 4000-4006 from Monday to Friday (weekdays) from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The city advises you to inform the police immediately if there are any suspected cases.
“Online crime is one of the dark sides of digitalization. With the free ‘Cybercrime Helpline’, the city has been offering a simple and reliable first point of contact for two years now, which provides quick support in suspected cases of cybercrime. Anyone who needs help in Vienna will get it – even in the digital world!” says City Councilor for Digitalization Ulli Sima.
“Fraud on the Internet is on the rise and is becoming increasingly difficult to detect thanks to new technical possibilities such as artificial intelligence and deepfakes. It is important to us not to leave anyone alone with these dangers. With the Cybercrime Helpline, the City of Vienna offers a free and professional first point of contact,” said the initiator of the helpline, local councilor Jörg Neumayer.
Online fraud is the main reason for calls
In 2024 alone, the helpline was contacted in more than 1,000 cases. The analyzes created also paint a detailed picture of the background to the calls to the helpline: in around 55% of the cases, cyber fraud was the reason for the consultation, including in particular the loss of money and data online. At around 11% each, phishing (so-called password fishing) and blackmail attempts via email are the two second largest factors in requests for help. Other aspects include data protection and malware.
“Especially in the digital age, people are increasingly becoming targets of online fraudsters. With the Cybercrime Helpline, the City of Vienna is making a decisive contribution to combating fraud in the digital space. It offers the people of Vienna quick and free help to limit the damage and support those affected,” says Walter Hillerer, head of Vienna City Service.
Further advice from renowned expert organizations
The cybercrime helpline is implemented by the city service of the city of Vienna. The call center employees provide initial assistance as a contact point. Due to the complexity of the topic, no more in-depth advice or technical or (criminal) legal remote diagnoses are offered. If necessary, the Cybercrime Helpline will refer you to the right place for further advice.
Here we rely on the existing and successful offerings from various organizations, where professionally trained experts take care of the various concerns of the Viennese. These include, among others, the Internet Ombudsman’s Office, the Consumer Protection Office of the Vienna Chamber of Labor, the #AgainHassimNetz advice center from ZARA – civil courage and anti-racism work, and the 24-hour women’s emergency hotline of the City of Vienna. The latter has been working with IT security specialists from the City of Vienna (WienCERT) since 2020 as part of the Competence Center against Cyber Violence in order to provide the best possible support to women affected by cyber violence.
Cybercrime Helpline also in use at the Vienna Security Festival
Further information about the cybercrime helpline and other services of the City of Vienna is not only available online digitales.wien.gv.at/cybercrime-helpline/but also on October 25th and 26th at the Vienna Security Festival, which takes place on the Rathausplatz with free admission. If internet crime is suspected, a free initial consultation is also possible on site.
rk photo service: www.wien.gv.at/presse/bilder