SCAM ALERT: SARS warns of AI-generated tax refund emails
· The South African
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has warned taxpayers about a new phishing scam using fake tax refund notifications.
Visit sport-newz.biz for more information.
Scammers are sending SMSes and emails claiming recipients qualify for a tax refund. One message promises a payout of R48 900.
The messages direct victims to a fake website to claim the money.
AI makes scam emails more convincing
SARS said scammers are now using artificial intelligence (AI) to create professional-looking emails.
The fake messages closely resemble genuine SARS correspondence. They use official branding, formatting and convincing language.
One email carries the subject line: “Tax Return Notification – Assessment Complete.”
It tells recipients their assessment is complete and asks them to complete an online form to receive a refund.
The link, however, leads to a fraudulent website.
Delete and block
SARS urged taxpayers not to click on any links in these messages.
Instead, taxpayers should:
- Delete the SMS or email immediately.
- Block the sender.
- Report suspicious emails to [email protected].
- Check the SARS Scams & Phishing webpage for examples of the latest scams.
Stay vigilant
SARS reminded taxpayers to access its services only through official SARS platforms.
It also warned taxpayers never to share banking details, passwords or one-time PINs after receiving unsolicited emails or SMSes.
As AI-generated scams become more sophisticated, SARS urged taxpayers to verify unexpected communications before taking any action.