Be wary of ‘tax season’ scammers, says LHDN

 

The public should verify any phone calls or communication, and never make payment to third-party accounts, says the Inland Revenue Board.

PETALING JAYA: The Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) has cautioned taxpayers to be wary of scammers and their many tactics as the tax season draws to a close.

LHDN spokesman Ranjeet Kaur said people must also lookout for red flags when approached by those claiming to act on behalf of the taxman, including calls on weekends, public holidays or after office hours.

“Never call back any unknown numbers,” but call LHDN at 03-8911 1000 to verify the authenticity of any communication received, she said. The public should ensure that any email received is sent from the official @hasil.gov.my domain.

Tax arrear payments should be made only to LHDN and no payments or transfers should be made to third party accounts.

Ranjeet also said people must not disclose personal bank details, especially passwords, when dealing with suspicious parties.

LHDN has published a notice to the public on the techniques commonly used by scammers. These tactics relate to tax evasion, illegal activities, tax investigation, share trading profits and tax refunds.

Tax evasion

Scammers pose as LHDN or police officers, contact victims regarding their tax arrears through messages, phone calls, letters or emails. Victims are then told to download a fake Bank Negara Malaysia application and to divulge their personal banking details for “investigation” purposes.

Illegal activities

Victims are contacted for their alleged involvement in illegal activities like crimes and money laundering. The scammers impersonate the authorities, police or Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission officers to scare victims and coax them to transfer money into third party accounts purportedly to prevent their bank accounts being blacklisted.

Tax investigation

Scammers impersonating LHDN officers visit victims, purportedly to collect taxes, and conduct field audits and tax investigations. Victims are told they have wrongly filed tax returns or made incorrect income tax declarations, then asked to hand over relevant documents and records. They are then directed to make outstanding payments into a bank account not owned by LHDN.

Share-trading profits

Victims are contacted through letters or emails about their purported involvement in share trading activities with an investment company. They are then directed to settle their tax arrears based on the instructions given by the scammers.

Tax refunds

Victims receive fake emails regarding tax refunds owed to them and are instructed to click on a hoax link that requires them to fill up their banking details in order to get their tax refund. - FMT