AI-powered SARS phishing scams surge during 2026 tax filing season - InBound SA

Home Business Lifestyle Travel Sports Vehicles Competitions Contact us 0 SARS has warned taxpayers to be vigilant against AI-generated phishing scams targeting eFiling users during the 2026 filing season. Home Business AI-powered SARS phishing scams surge during 2026 tax filing season Business Featured News AI-powered SARS phishing scams surge during 2026 tax filing season 93 The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has issued an urgent warning over a sophisticated new wave of AI-generated phishing scams targeting taxpayers during the 2026 filing season.South African music According to SARS, scammers are using generative artificial intelligence (AI) to create convincing emails that closely resemble official SARS communication, making them far more difficult to identify than traditional phishing attempts. How the AI scam works SARS says cybercriminals are using AI to produce highly realistic phishing emails that mimic the look and tone of genuine correspondence. These scams often include: Professionally written emails with no spelling or grammar mistakes. Official SARS branding, logos and formatting. The names of genuine SARS employees to appear legitimate. Specific refund amounts, such as R48,900 or R68,652.86, to create the impression that the figures were generated by SARS systems. PDF attachments or links directing taxpayers to fake SARS login pages designed to steal eFiling usernames, passwords and banking information. Once criminals gain access to an eFiling profile, they can change the registered banking details so legitimate tax refunds are paid into fraudulent accounts. Five ways to protect yourself SARS has urged taxpayers to remain vigilant and follow these important safety guidelines: Never click on links contained in tax-related emails, SMSs or WhatsApp messages. Always access SARS services by typing www.sars.gov.za directly into your browser. Check your secure eFiling profile or the official SARS MobiApp for legitimate notifications. Never share passwords, one-time PINs (OTPs), banking PINs or credit card information via email or SMS. SARS will never ask for these details. Be cautious of email attachments ending in .htm or .html. SARS does not send communications using these file types. What to do if you receive a suspicious message If you believe you have received a phishing email or message claiming to be from SARS: Forward the communication to phishing@sars.gov.za. Visit the official SARS Scams and Phishing webpage to view examples of known scams. If you clicked on a suspicious link, log in to your eFiling account immediately, change your password and activate multi-factor authentication (2FA) to help secure your profile. SARS continues to encourage taxpayers to remain alert throughout the filing season, reminding users that fraudsters are becoming increasingly sophisticated by using AI to create highly convincing scams. Read Inbound SA online AI Scams Cybersecurity EFiling Fraud Phishing SARS South Africa Tax Season Taxpayers Previous post Why travel insurance is one holiday expense you shouldn't skip Next post Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy to end boarding model after 2027 Share Tweet Pin Click to read the latest edition online Read on the app Discover more Business Sports equipment Fashion trends reports Related Articles News Featured Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy to end boarding model after 2027 The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls (OWLAG) will conclude its residential... July 30, 2026 Travel Featured Why travel insurance is one holiday expense you shouldn’t skip Travel insurance often feels like the last unnecessary expense before you click... July 29, 2026 Vehicles Featured Volkswagen launches the new Caravelle eHybrid in South Africa Volkswagen Group Africa has officially introduced the new Caravelle eHybrid to the... July 29, 2026 Entertainment Featured Married at First Sight Mzansi’s Matsheliso Maphutse shares her ‘why’ After four explosive episodes, Married at First Sight Mzansi Season 3 continues... July 29, 2026