By: Natasha Archary
The South African Revenue Services (SARS) has asked South Africans to be mindful of the latest scam targeting taxpayers.
SARS says that people should be aware to never respond to SMSs, emails or follow links requesting their personal tax number, banking, ID and other eFiling details.
According to SARS, there are emails being circulated that claim to be from a SARS representative. requiring missing personal details in order for a tax rebate to be issued.
The emails in question either require personal particulars, banking information or personal tax number in order for the refund to be issued.
Some taxpayers have even been issued with a letter from SARS stipulating if they do not comply with the email within 24-hours, they will be summoned to court.
SARS says this is not how they handle tax matters and people should not fall victim to the latest scam.
The email addresses being used appear to be from SARS but these are fraudulent addresses and should be ignored.
examples of the fake SARS email addresses being used in the latest scam
Below are examples of the emails that have been sent to unsuspecting taxpayers.
STAY ALERT!
— SA Revenue Service (@sarstax) August 11, 2022
Beware of emails or SMSs that ask for personal, tax, banking and eFiling details like login credentials, passwords, pins, credit/ debit cards. SARS will not send you links to other websites – even those of banks. Learn more: https://t.co/pmhIUE3Z39#YourTaxMatters pic.twitter.com/xHltwSY256
SARS has urged taxpayers to:
- Not open or respond to emails from unknown sources
- Remember that SARS will not send you any hyperlinks to other websites – even those of banks
- SARS will never request your banking details in any communications you receive via post, email or SMS
- Telephonic engagements will require personal information is verified for authentication purposes
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