News No.   :  9/2008

Date             :  11 July 2008

Subject        : Beware of fraudulent tax refund and donation collection scams.

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                         The Revenue Department urges the public to avoid the following scams by certain dishonest people who claim to be officials of the Revenue Department who:

                              1. make fictitious tax refund claims. These people would call a person using the 13 digit telephone or automatic telephone system withholding their numbers to notify tax refund. They would ask for personal information or ask the person to transfer money via ATM to their bank accounts.

                              2. use the name of the Revenue Department to request donations for the purpose of sparing the lives of cows and cattle or for other charity purposes.

                         As we have all taxpayer information in our database, our officials may not request for any personal information from any taxpayer. The Revenue Department provides a tax refund cheque only under the name of the person making tax refund claim and sends it only by post to the address provided by that person.

                         It is important to also note that we never distribute any notice requesting donation from the public. We urge entrepreneurs, businessmen and taxpayers to be wary of these scams. You may report any suspected scam activity to

                              1. RD Call Center at 0-2272-8000.

                              2. Any Area Revenue Office or Area Revenue Branch Office.

                         We ask for your cooperation with us or your local Area Revenue Office to report any suspicious activity to police for immediate legal action. Currently the Revenue Department is collaborating with DSI and Police Department to take legal action against these groups and fight against these social evils.