Beware of scam e-mails claiming to offer tax refunds: Iras
The tax refund scam tricks taxpayers into clicking a link in an e-mail that pretends to be from Iras.
PHOTO: The Straits Times file
PUBLISHED ONJanuary 30, 2024 9:46 AMByIan Cheng
SINGAPORE – Singaporeans are again getting e-mails claiming to come from the taxman that aim to trick them into clicking on a link that directs them to a fake website.
They are then asked to provide personal details, including Singpass credentials and credit card details.
All of this is part of a phishing scam that is making a comeback, said the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (Iras) in a statement on Jan 30.
In the latest ruse, taxpayers are promised a tax refund, the statement added.
In October 2023, Iras warned of a similar scam in which victims were duped into clicking on a link claiming to be from the taxman. Victims were informed that their property tax notices were ready for viewing via WeTransfer, a file transfer service.
Phishing scams usually involve e-mails, text messages, calls or advertisements from scammers who impersonate officials or trusted organisations.
The aim is to trick victims into revealing details like their credit card or bank account information. The scammers would then carry out unauthorised transactions on the victims’ cards or bank accounts.
In 2022, scam victims in Singapore lost $660.7 million, up from $632 million in 2021, bringing the total to nearly $1.3 billion in two years.
Taxpayers are advised to ignore the phishing e-mail and not provide any personal, credit card or bank account details, make payments or follow any of the instructions in the e-mail, said the statement.
Victims can make a police report, it added.
To avoid falling victim to conmen, click only the links with iras.gov.sg or go.gov.sg.
It said: “For tax transactions including filing and payments, taxpayers should use relevant forms and digital services in myTax Portal secured by Singpass login.”
Iras added that it will not ask for taxpayer details or any confidential information via e-mail or unsecured web links.
This article was first published in The Straits Times. Permission required for reproduction.
ALSO READ: Singapore ranked 5th least corrupt country in the world