The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is warning taxpayers about fake SMS or text messages that appear to be from the revenue collector. These scams contain links to fake forms and websites made to look like the South African Revenue Service's website, which steal account credentials, personal and financial information.
A SARS SMS Scam
Dear Tax Payer, SARS Have issued a ltter of demand which requires your rgent attention. Cick:-*** View your letter of demand. SARS
Here are some tips to help protect you against SARS SMS scams:
- Do not open or respond to emails from unknown sources.
- Beware of emails that ask for personal, tax, banking and eFiling details (login credentials, passwords, pins, credit / debit card information, etc.).
- SARS will never request your 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. Importantly, SARS will not send you any hyperlinks to other websites - even those of banks.
- SARS does not send *.htm or *.html attachments.
- SARS will never ask for your credit card details.
- In order for a tax practitioner to charge you for their services, they must be registered. You can check here whether your Tax Practitioner is registered with SARS and a Recognised Controlling Body (RCB).
Recipients of fake and suspicious SMS or text messages can do the following:
- Sent the SMS or text message to phishing@sars.gov.za.
- Call the Fraud and Anti-Corruption Hotline on 0800 00 28700800 00 2870.
- To verify the authenticity of correspondence from SARS, call the SARS Contact Centre on 0800 00 72770800 00 7277.