SARS starts using WhatsApp

[Hanno Labuschagne]

SARS starts using WhatsApp

South Africans should be wary of fraudsters impersonating the South African Revenue Service (SARS) on WhatsApp, but not be too quick to dismiss messages that may really be from the taxman.

SARS's recent decision to expand its communication channels to include the popular online chat app could muddy the waters when it comes to identifying potential fraudsters.

 

[RedViking]

Excellent!

 

[Mekon]

Warns that fraudsters will impersonate them and use Whatsapp to try steal your money, but decides to use it as a legitimate means of communication. Well done big brained ones.

 

[garyc]

Warns that fraudsters will impersonate them and use Whatsapp to try steal your money, but decides to use it as a legitimate means of communication. Well done big brained ones.

SARS has made it clear that they absolutely do not care about any financial losses of any type on your behalf, only about how much you made.

 

[Pax]

They have not mastered email yet, still insisting one must visit their offices.....now this? No use implementing newer tech when staff still operate with 1950's tech at best, but still failing even at telephone usage.

 

[chrisc]

... and taking 3 months to reply to an email

 

[dontcryforme]

 

[Gekco]

MyBroadband asked SARS how it would ensure customers do not ignore its WhatsApp communications, but it had not responded by the time of publication.

WhatsApp, emails and SMS's. What proof does SARS have that a person received or more importantly, read any communication sent out via their 'official' channels?