Mthobisi Nozulela | Published 43 minutes ago
As the 2026 tax season approaches, fraudsters are ramping up their efforts to target taxpayers through increasingly sophisticated scams, including fake links, QR codes and messages designed to appear legitimate.
Standard Bank Group has warned that criminals are using SMSes, WhatsApp messages, emails and phone calls to impersonate tax authorities, with the aim of stealing personal and banking information or convincing victims to make fraudulent payments.
The bank warned that these scams often rely on fear tactics, such as threats of legal action or claims of urgent tax issues, to pressure people into acting quickly without verifying the details.
“We’ve seen many cases where fraudsters send bait communication through text, email, WhatsApp or phone calls. The communication sent may claim that you have a tax refund, owe a tax penalty, or are being investigated for breaking tax laws,” Standard Bank’s Head of Fraud Operations, Client Experience and Risk Execution, Marius le Roux said .
The bank added that “using these tactics, fraudsters can gain access to your banking profile, steal your money, or trick you into sending them money.”
Common scam tactics targeting taxpayers
Fraudsters are using increasingly sophisticated methods, including impersonation, fake banking details, and malicious links, to target taxpayers during the 2026 tax season.
Extortion and ‘secure account’ scams
Criminals contact victims claiming there is an issue with their 2025 tax return, often warning of legal action. Fake documents are sometimes used to make the claims appear legitimate. Victims are then pressured to pay money to “resolve” the matter or transfer funds into so-called “safe accounts” while investigations are supposedly underway. In many cases, scammers pose as representatives of banks, police, or tax authorities to build trust and urgency .
Change of banking details scams
In these cases, victims receive fraudulent SARS banking information and are told they owe money. The messages often appear credible, particularly as many taxpayers expect communication during tax season. Some scams even include incentives such as discounts for early payment. However, the accounts provided belong to fraudsters and not the South African Revenue Service.
Fake messages with links and QR codes
Fraudsters also distribute messages containing links, attachments, or QR codes via SMS, email, or WhatsApp. These may lead to malicious software downloads or fake websites designed to steal login credentials, One-Time Pins, and card details. In some instances, victims are redirected to counterfeit SARS or banking portals where sensitive information is captured.
Key takeaways
Always verify payment requests before acting
Never move money to “safe accounts” on instruction from a third party
Check banking details directly with the relevant institution
Avoid clicking or scanning unsolicited links, attachments, or QR codes
“Things are not always what they seem. Scams pretending to be from SARS are likely to increase so customers need", Le Roux said.
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