Got an SMS about a SARS refund? Double check it's legit warns expert

Relebogile Mabotja speaks to Carey van Vlaanderen, CEO of ESET Southern Africa about how to avoid falling victim to tax scammers.

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There are two things in life that are certain, death and taxes.

So said American statesman Benjamin Franklin.

But there's a third thing. Fraudsters.

Wherever there is money at play, scammers will be thinking of ways to part you from yours and tax season is the ideal time for unscrupulous characters to try and make a fast buck says van Vlaanderen.

 "They will use these big events to send, what we see are fairly legitimate looking emails, in an attempt to get you to click on the email to get your personal, financial information."

Carey van Vlaanderen, CEO - ESET Southern Africa 

Van Vlaanderen says gone are the days when it was easy to establish whether an email was legitimate or not.

"They're a lot more sophisticated."

Carey van Vlaanderen, CEO - ESET Southern Africa 

So how can we tell if an email is bona fide?

Van Vlaanderen says SARS itself is a good place to start.

"They list all the known scams that people are getting in the South African context."

Carey van Vlaanderen, CEO - ESET Southern Africa 

"They also share with us what kind of communcation they are sending out. What does an SMS look like they might send out, what does an email look like, so you can double check."

Carey van Vlaanderen, CEO - ESET Southern Africa 

Vlaanderen says when in doubt, use the old-fashioned way, and pick up the phone.

"If you're not sure just double-check with SARS themselves."

Carey van Vlaanderen, CEO - ESET Southern Africa 

According to SARS, the latest scam is an SMS indicating you are eligible for a refund.

To ‘complete your refund’ the scam encourages you to click a link, which takes you to a fraudulent website.

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