SARS Warns of Impersonation Scam Targeting Taxpayers
A WhatsApp user posing as the SARS Commissioner is phoning taxpayers about outstanding tax debt, the revenue service has warned.
Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in Taxes
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The South African Revenue Service (SARS) issued a statement on Wednesday warning taxpayers about a fraudulent caller impersonating the SARS Commissioner. The scammer contacts taxpayers by phone about supposed outstanding debt.
Why it matters
Fraudsters using official impersonation can pressure taxpayers into sharing passwords, PINs or payments that compromise their finances. SARS stresses that it will never request sensitive login or banking details by phone, email, SMS or social media.
The only figure supplied is the SARS Anti-Corruption Hotline number, 0800 00 2870, for reporting suspected fraud. The source does not give the number of taxpayers contacted or any losses, and it is not known whether the scam has been reported to police.
The players
South African Revenue Service (SARS)
SARS is the national agency responsible for collecting taxes and administering customs duties in South Africa.
The details
Scam messages can include false payment notifications, letters of demand, tax settlement messages and refund notifications. Some fraudulent messages contain links to websites designed to resemble official SARS platforms, and taxpayers are urged to check any tax debt directly through SARS eFiling or the SARS MobiApp.
Timeline
Wednesday: SARS issues its warning about the Commissioner impersonation scam.
Ongoing Warnings
SARS has repeatedly warned taxpayers about fraudulent communications sent through email, SMS, WhatsApp and telephone calls. This latest alert shows that impersonation of senior officials is now part of the same recurring pattern of scams.
Do not share passwords, one-time PINs, banking PINs or eFiling login details with anyone who calls, emails or messages you claiming to be SARS. Check any tax debt directly through SARS eFiling or the SARS MobiApp, and report suspected fraud to the SARS Anti-Corruption Hotline on 0800 00 2870.
The takeaway
Official tax debt will always appear on your SARS profile, so verifying it there is the safest way to confirm any claim. Treat unsolicited calls about payments with caution, even when the caller claims to be a senior official.
Further reading
For more on how tax obligations work, see the Taxes section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by IOL.
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