Tax season scams are becoming more common and more dangerous in South Africa. As citizens prepare to file their income tax returns, scammers are waiting to take advantage of the moment. They use fake emails, SMSes, WhatsApp messages, and phone calls to trick people into giving away their personal information—or worse, their money.
Advocate Athaly Khan, head of fraud risk management at Standard Bank, warns that this is a peak time for scams. “In many cases, scammers use bait communication to get your attention,” says Khan. “They might say you’re due for a tax refund, owe a tax penalty, or are under investigation for breaking tax laws.”
These messages look official, but they are designed to steal your banking details, install malware on your devices, or scare you into paying money into fake accounts. Understanding how tax season scams work can help you avoid becoming a victim.
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Common Tax Season Scams in South Africa
Scammers are constantly changing their tactics, but here are the most common schemes seen by banks and reported by victims.
1. Fake Tax Investigations
This scam starts with a message or call claiming SARS is reviewing your tax return and found errors. They threaten criminal charges unless you act quickly. Often, they even send fake documents to make it look real.
Scammers use fear to pressure you. They’ll say the matter can be “settled” if you pay them directly. Of course, the bank account they give you belongs to the fraudsters, not SARS.
Some even claim to be working with the police or your bank to make the scam more believable.
2. False SARS Banking Details
Another common trick is sending you a message that appears to come from SARS. It might say you owe money and need to pay immediately. They provide banking details, but those details belong to scammers.
Khan warns that this scam can be convincing, especially if you actually owe SARS money. Sometimes, they even offer a “discount” if you pay quickly. But these are lies meant to rush you into acting without checking.
3. Phishing, Smishing, and QR Code Scams
Some scams include links or QR codes that infect your phone or computer when you click or scan them. These tricks, called phishing (email), smishing (SMS), and quishing (QR codes), can install software that gives scammers access to your banking app or personal data.
Other times, they may ask you to enter your card information to “make a payment to SARS”. Once they have your card number, they can make purchases or steal your funds.
How to Stay Safe During Tax Season
Scammers are clever, but there are simple steps you can take to stay safe from tax season scams.
✅ Stop and Think Before You Act
Don’t rush into making a payment just because someone says it’s urgent. Scammers rely on panic. Take time to verify the information and speak to someone you trust.
✅ Never Transfer Money to Secure It
Neither SARS nor any bank will ask you to transfer money to a different account to “keep it safe”. This is a common scam tactic. If someone tells you this, report it immediately.
✅ Always Verify Banking Details
If you need to pay SARS, always use the official banking details listed on the SARS website or your bank’s SARS business directory. You can also use Account Verification Services (AVS) to check that the account is correct.
✅ Be Careful with Links and QR Codes
Do not click on any link or scan any QR code that comes through a suspicious message or email. Your bank and SARS will never send you a link asking you to update your information, make a payment, or claim a refund.
✅ Be Alert to Red Flags
Any message that demands urgent payment, offers a tax discount, or uses threatening language should be a red flag. If it feels off, it probably is.
Why Tax Season Scams Work
Tax season scams are effective because they use fear, urgency, and fake authority to manipulate people. During tax season, people are already stressed and unsure about how much they owe or whether they’re due for a refund. Scammers use this uncertainty to trick you into acting quickly without thinking.
Technology has also made it easier for scammers to look convincing. They can fake email addresses, create official-looking documents, and send realistic messages that look like they’re from SARS or your bank.
Important Reminders to Protect Yourself
Advocate Khan gives some key advice for this tax season:
- Your bank will never ask you to click a link, scan a QR code, or share personal details over SMS or email.
- SARS will not call you to request payments or threaten you with arrest.
- Always verify any banking information before transferring money.
- Ask for help. If you are unsure, speak to your bank or SARS directly.
“Nothing is ever what it seems,” Khan says. “We need all our customers to have their guards up.”
Stay Informed, Stay Safe
South Africans are encouraged to stay alert, especially during tax season. If you receive a suspicious message or call claiming to be from SARS, don’t engage. Contact SARS or your bank directly using their official numbers.
You can report scams to SARS via their anti-fraud hotline: 0800 00 2870.
Protect your data, question every message, and don’t let scammers take advantage of your hard work. The best way to fight tax season scams is through awareness and caution.
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