Tax season is right around the corner. Because SARS now handles almost all of its communication online, it is becoming incredibly difficult to tell the real notifications from the fakes. Criminals use official-sounding language, tight deadlines, and links that look almost identical to the real thing to catch us in a moment of panic.
@Neesa highlights the four main scams currently doing the rounds:
- The fake settlement notice: Demands urgent payment to avoid legal trouble.
- The fake refund SMS: Tells you there’s money waiting, but asks you to click a link or enter credit card details. (SARS will never ask for your credit card!)
- The fake letter of demand: Tries to scare you into downloading a phishing attachment by threatening you with a court summons.
- The fake auto-assessment notice: Looks helpful, but redirects you to a cloned eFiling site to steal your login credentials.
Have you or someone you know been targeted by one of these scams? Did you spot the red flags in time, and what is your top tip for catching a scammer in the act?