The South African Revenue Service (Sars) warns taxpayers to be wary of people posing as tax practitioners or tax experts who promise them they could secure a refund from Sars.
Businesses and other organisations must also beware of third parties, such as unknown payroll companies, who offer to assist them with their PAYE submissions.
According to Sars, their contact centre is being inundated with calls from taxpayers who have fallen victim to these criminals, who ultimately pocket the refunds, and warns they often operate as syndicates.
Sars said in some cases, these fraudulent submissions are the cause of delays that are experienced by law-abiding taxpayers when Sars has no other option but to verify the information that was submitted by scammers to Sars.
Taxpayers who willingly participate in such fraudulent activities in expectation of an illegal refund will be prosecuted along with the scammers.
Sars urges taxpayers who suspect such criminal activity to provide information to Sars by contacting them anonymously on 0800 00 2870 or by anonymously completing an online form available on the Sars website (www.sars.gov.za).
ALSO READ: Police again warn of vehicle pound scamsters
ALSO READ: Northmead resident warns of Bank scams
