KL citizens warned against tax refund emails

By EgovAsia Editors | Aug 20, 2010

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Citizens from Kuala Lumpur are warned against clicking links on emails from the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) stating recipients' eligibility for tax refunds.  The warning was made by IRB Director-General Tan Sri Hasmah Abdullah during a joint press conference with the IRB, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM).
 
“It has never been our practice to notify our taxpayers about payment or refunds through emails or collect them through our officers. Our officers have no authority to collect taxes and we do not appoint agents for such matters. The tax payments can only be done at our office counters and through certified banks such as CIMB or Public Bank. When it comes to tax refunds, we will notify the taxpayer through an official letter; we do not send out emails,” said Hasmah.
 
Since last month, the IRB has received complaints from taxpayers who have received emails from tax-Ppyment@hasil.gov.my or taxrefunds@hasil.gov.my informing them that they are eligible to receive tax refunds.  Clicking on the logo directed them to a fake IRB website where they were required to login their online banking account details. Hasmah stressed that the public should not be fooled by such tactics and adds that genuine emails from IRB do not have any links provided.