The public has been alerted by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) to an increase in fraudulent activity involving people posing as tax officials.
It said in a statement that reports of these scams have come from a number of locations, including Colombo, Panadura, Negombo, Wennappuwa, and Minuwangoda.
“Public is warned by the Inland Revenue Department about “fake tax collectors.””
The department made it clear that authorised inland revenue officers would never personally pick up cash or checks; instead, they will only come to advise taxpayers to deposit money directly into designated bank accounts at the Bank of Ceylon or People’s Bank in the name of the Commissioner General of Inland Revenue.
The IRD stated that the public’s assistance is essential in catching such scammers. “If you encounter anyone claiming to be a tax official and requesting cash or checks, please do not comply and instead, report the incident to the nearest police station immediately,” the IRD advised.
