SOUTH African Revenue Service (SARS) are urging all taxpayers and corporate companies to be on the look out for fraudulent activities and scams during the festive season.
In their recent statement, SARS said it was aware of issuing of fake Third Party Appointment (AA88) notices to companies, the unauthorised use of its logo as well as individuals posing as SARS staff.
“In most cases, these scams require the individual and corporate taxpayer to make a payment, and may also request personal details including banking details. Banks are receiving Third Party Appointment (AA88) Notices to deduct money from the company’s account and pay it into a third party account. Some of these notices involve millions of Rands.”
SARS also noted reports that individuals posing as SARS staff are using SARS logos, branded apparel and bogus offices to defraud members of the public. The scam involves notifying people that they have been successfully employed by SARS, and were now required to buy uniforms and identity cards which are SARS-branded and appear authentic.
Taxpayers who are concerned about emails or SMS messages claiming to be from SARS should visit the SARS Scams and Phishing webpage; e-mail phishing@sars.gov.za; call the SARS Fraud and Anti-Corruption Hotline on 0800 00 2870; or call the SARS Contact Centre on 0800 00 7277.
