Taxpayers need to be aware of the latest tax related scams currently doing the rounds.
These scams typically involve swindlers sending fraudulent emails or text messages, purporting to be from SARS, to taxpayers, to lure them in providing sensitive personal information such as their tax and bank account details. Many times, these emails contain links to fake websites and fake forms that are very convincing and looks like the genuine article.
Emails from returns@sars.co.za or refunds@sars.co.za which entice taxpayers to provide personal information are examples of such scam emails. Such fraudulent activities can be reported to SARS via email (phishing@sars.gov.za) or via the SARS Fraud and Anti-Corruption Hotline on 0800 00 2870.
Some recent examples of scams include:
- Requests to process fictitious SARS “quote letters”
- False requests to confirm whether eFiling statements are up to date
- False letters of demand for alleged unpaid tax debt
- Requests to process false tax refunds
- False notifications of audits
- False payment notifications
- Scamsters pretending to be SARS customs inspectors
- False imminent court summons and blacklisting letters
- False National Prosecuting Authority court summons letters
- False notification of outstanding tax obligation letters
For a comprehensive list of examples, please see the SARS website provided in the “source” section below.
Taxpayers can protect themselves against these types of scams by being mindful of the following:
- If you make use of a tax practitioner, always ask them to verify the legitimacy of any suspicious correspondence you directly receive from SARS.
- Avoid opening or responding to emails from unfamiliar sources.
- Similarly, do not click on attachments contained in suspicious emails.
- SARS will never ask for your credit card, debit card or banking details, via email, post or SMS.
- However, when you call SARS, SARS will for purposes of telephonic engagement and authentication request to verify your banking details.
- IMPORTANT: SARS will never request your banking PIN.
- SARS will not request your eFiling login details via email, post or SMS.
- SARS will not send you website hyperlinks nor send *.htm or *.html attachments.
Please always stay vigilant. If you have any enquiries, please contact your tax practitioner at FHBC or email Petri Westraadt at pwestraadt@fhbc.co.za
Source Reference:
1. SARS website: https://www.sars.gov.za/targeting-tax-crime/scams-and-phishing/