Scam tsunami hits eFiling

OMBUD: DRAFT REPORT OPEN FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON TAX PROFILE HACKING, FRAUD

- Ina Opperman

The Office of the Tax Ombud published its draft report into alleged eFiling profile hijacking for public comment yesterday, which shows that eFiling hijacking is most prevalent among tax practitioners and individual taxpayers.

The purpose of the report is to assess the scope and impact of eFiling profile hijacking, identify factors that make taxpayers vulnerable, evaluate the SA Revenue Service's (Sars) response mechanisms to taxpayers who report profile hijacking and suggest areas for improvement.

After the survey was conducted, Sars shared these figures with the ombud about eFiling hijacking:

► Sars receives on an average a monthly intake of 387 new eFiling profile hijacking cases;

► A total of 15 968 cases were reported to Sars;

►94% of cases Sars finalised in 2024 were resolved in favour of taxpayers; and

► Sars refunded approximately R21 million to victims of eFiling hijacking over the past two years.