The National Civil Protection Authority warns people that they may be approached by strangers who, posing as civil protection staff, who approach people informing them that they are going to be fined due to non-compliance with the legal obligations to clean rural lands of which they are owners.

The ANPC was informed of a situation that occurred in the Viana do Castelo district, where the motive in question asked a citizen to pay the amount of a fine by transfer to a NIB (bank account) by the end of that day, otherwise the fine would be doubled.

In view of this, the ANPC informs citizens that civil protection services do not impose fines for non-compliance with the legal obligations to clear the forest land. Any fraudulent attempt such as this should be reported immediately to the police authorities.