Beware of scams and phishing. There is a steady increase in email scams and phishing attacks using the SARS brand. Members of the public are randomly emailed with false “spoofed” emails made to look as if these emails were sent from SARS but are in fact fraudulent emails aimed at luring unsuspecting taxpayers to disclose 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 fake forms and malicious websites made to look like the “real thing”, but with the objective of tricking the person into entering personal information such as bank account details, which criminals then extract and use for criminal activities. SARS will never ask for your banking details by phone, email or through websites – if they do, watch out, it's probably a scam! #StaySmart
(Please note: This is only general advice and should not be relied on solely. The law is complicated and there are many influencing factors that can change the above).