SARS SCAM ALERT
THE SOUTH AFRICAN REVENUE SERVICE HAS RECENTLY ISSUED A WARNING STATEMENT TO THE PUBLIC IN PARTICULAR ITS CLIENTS THE TAX PAYER AMID A SCAMMING EMAILS AND SMS’S TO UNSUSPECTING TAX PAYERS. THESE CORRUPT CABALS WANTS YOUR INFORMATION. TO THIS DAY IS NOT CLEAR HOW MANY HAVE FALLEN VICTIM TO THIS SCAM.
SARS advised members of the public, how scammers will randomly send false “spoofed” emails made to look as if they were sent from SARS, but are in fact fraudulent emails aimed at enticing unsuspecting taxpayers to part with personal information such as bank account details.
Examples include emails that appear to be from returns@sars.co.za or refunds@sars.co.za indicating that taxpayers are eligible to receive tax refunds. These emails contain links to false forms and fake websites made to look like the “real thing”, but with the aim of fooling people into entering personal information such as bank account details which the criminals then extract and use fraudulently.
These hustles are being hustled and scams are unwavering to nail you, just like a fishing scam the will send emails and text to as many people as possible with pure anticipation that a handful will take the bait. SARS has put together a list to taxpayers of things they should take note of when receiving an sms or an email
1. Do not open or respond to emails from unknown sources. 2. Beware of emails that ask for personal, tax, banking and efiling details (login credentials, passwords, pins, credit / debit card information, etc.).
3. SARS will never, request your personal or business banking details in any communication that you receive via post, email, or SMS. However, for the purpose of telephonic engagement and authentication purposes, SARS will verify your personal details.
4. Importantly, SARS will not send you any hyperlinks to other websites- even those of banks.
5. Beware of false sms’s.
6. SARS does not send *.htm or *.html attachments.
7. SARS will never ask for your credit card details.
The revenues services has created a section on their website where they will post updates of any scams they learn about. Similarly, they are inviting you to tell them about any communication emails or any other you think is a scams or phishing. Report or to get more information on phishing, by send an email to phishing@sars.gov.za or call the Fraud and Anti-corruption Hotline on 0800 00 2870.