Warning about scams perpetrated by individuals impersonating tax officials in Nghe An.
Recently, there has been an increase in cases where malicious individuals impersonate tax authorities to make phone calls, send text messages, scam people, and steal information and assets from taxpayers.
Many scams
Recently, on July 30, 2024, Ms. Pham Thi Huyen, a small business owner at Mo Market in Hau Thanh commune, Yen Thanh district, received an invitation from the Yen Thanh District Tax Department, requesting her to be present at the Yen Thanh District Tax Department at 9:00 AM on August 1st to update her business and personal information on the Government's information portal and to have her value-added tax invoice issuance and import process for 2024 inspected. She was required to bring her citizen identification card and passport.
The perpetrator also called Ms. Huyen, asking her to add him as a friend on Zalo, Facebook, or other chat applications if she couldn't come, in order to guide her through online procedures.
Upon receiving the notification, Ms. Huyen went to the Bac Nghe II Regional Tax Office branch in Yen Thanh district to report, and the head of the Tax Office informed her that the documents were forged and that she should be vigilant to avoid fraud. Specifically, the documents were incorrect; for example, there is currently no Yen Thanh District Tax Office, but rather the Bac Nghe II Regional Tax Office; the business location is listed as Mo Market Hamlet, Hau Thanh Commune, but the document states Mo Market Hamlet, Chau Thanh Commune; and the signature of the Deputy Head of the Tax Office is also incorrect in both full and last name.
However, the invitation letter contained the correct full name of the business owner. According to tax officials at the Bac Nghe II Regional Tax Office, if small business owners send their citizen identification cards to the individual, they could easily fall victim to online financial fraud.
Mr. Tran Van T., a business owner in Dien Ky commune, Dien Chau district, recently received a call from an unknown number impersonating an official from the Bac Nghe II Regional Tax Office. The caller requested the company director to install an application to process a value-added tax reduction. Thanks to his vigilance against scams, the director contacted the official from the Bac Nghe II Regional Tax Office to verify the information and avoided the fraud.
According to reports from several newly established businesses in Hung Nguyen and Nam Dan districts, some individuals using phone numbers such as 0888590131, 0833275409, 0562321249… are impersonating officials from the Song Lam II Regional Tax Office. They are calling businesses and requesting them to bring their legal documents to the tax office to install applications, standardize tax procedures, process tax refund applications for projects, and request tax exemptions for newly established businesses…
If you are unable to come in person, connect via Zalo for guidance, or log in to the link http://dvc.gov.lol for online support.
However, after accessing the link, the entire phone system loses control, becoming inoperable and unable to be turned on or off. Alternatively, the callers may contact businesses offering to sell guidebooks on tax law…
Coordinate to prevent
Mr. Dinh Viet Dung, Deputy Head of the Tax Department of Bac Nghe II area, said: From the beginning of 2024 until now, the Department has received complaints from over 150 people and businesses in Yen Thanh and Dien Chau districts about being threatened by individuals posing as tax officials, demanding information and photos of their citizen identification cards to receive assistance in tax reduction or refund procedures, or being instructed to send links to install applications to steal money from taxpayers' bank accounts.
However, the tax authorities do not have a policy of sending tax officials to make phone calls to connect with social media platforms like Zalo and Facebook, requesting assistance with installation, nor do they require businesses or household businesses to bring their business registration certificates, household business registration certificates, or citizen identification cards to the tax office to register for tax reduction policies. This is entirely the work of scammers aiming to steal personal information.
Mr. Dinh Viet Dung added: "The most important thing is that each citizen needs to raise their vigilance. When receiving phone calls from people impersonating tax officials, they need to remain calm in the face of threats and pressure, not provide personal information over the phone, and not follow instructions to install fake phone applications; immediately notify the Tax Department and the local police for assistance."
Regarding this issue, a representative from the Nghe An Tax Department stated: During the digital transformation period, the tax sector has implemented many electronic tax services to serve taxpayers. Accordingly, people can carry out tax procedures at home or at their business premises without having to go to the tax office. However, malicious individuals have taken advantage of the development of new technologies to impersonate tax officials and create fake websites and applications of the General Department of Taxation to commit fraud.
To help taxpayers avoid the risk of fraud and theft of information and assets, the Nghe An Provincial Tax Department is providing information on some common fraudulent behaviors and tactics currently used by scammers.
For example, individuals impersonating tax authorities and posing as tax officials request taxpayers to provide information, send images of their citizen identification cards, or instruct them to send links to install fake applications in order to steal money from taxpayers' bank accounts.
By creating websites and social media accounts that closely resemble the official tax authority's website and social media accounts, from images to content, scammers trick users into believing that the information is legitimate and use it to steal or defraud them.
Fraudulent SMS messaging impersonating the General Department of Taxation's brand name, specifically using SMS messages with the brand name "TongcucThue" to distribute fake messages, along with providing fake links and instructions to gain control of phones/computers and steal money from bank accounts.
To protect the rights and interests of taxpayers and to raise awareness against fraudulent schemes, the Nghe An Provincial Tax Department recommends the following preventive measures: Do not provide personal information or bank account information to anyone over the phone or on social media.
Do not allow any individual to directly access your computer or phone to assist with installing or using tax authority software. Do not click on links attached in text messages, Zalo, Facebook, etc., that falsely claim to be representatives of the tax authority providing guidance on tax procedures.
Currently, tax authorities nationwide are supporting taxpayers in using the eTax Mobile application. The application contains complete personal information of taxpayers regarding their tax obligations and provides electronic tax services to users. In particular, it helps people proactively and easily pay taxes with convenient features for checking, paying, and monitoring their tax obligations.
Access the official website of the tax authority via the national domain "gdt.gov.vn" to verify information. The Nghe An Provincial Tax Department provides information on hotline numbers, email addresses, other contact methods, and support and guidance locations to promptly address taxpayer feedback or requests for assistance. Hotline: 02383.969.697 (Taxpayer Support and Propaganda Department). Email address:http://[email protected]Fanpage, Zalo, Youtube: Nghe An Provincial Tax Department, Head office address: 366 Le Nin Avenue, Hung Phuc Ward, Vinh City, Nghe An Province.
