WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1979
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TAXPAYERS WARNED OF IMPOSTERS
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TAXPAYERS ARE REMINDED TO BEWARE OF IMPOSTERS CLAIMING TO BE OFFICERS FROM THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID THERE WERE SEVERAL REPORTS OF SUCH IMPERSONATIONS RECENTLY.
+WE HAVE RECEIVED SEVERAL REPORTS THAT A MAN WHO CLAIMED TO BE AN OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT HAD TELEPHONED BUSINESS FIRMS TO ACQUIRE INFORMATION SUCH AS THE NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF THE PROPRIETORS OR MANAGERS OF THE RESPECTIVE FIRMS, HE SAID.
INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT THE BOGUS CALLER THEN VISITED THE PROPRIETORS AND MANAGERS FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES WHICH HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THEIR TAX AFFAIRS OR THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO SAID THAT FROM TIME TO TIME REPORTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED THAT SOME PEOPLE CLAIMING TO BE OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT HAVE BEEN SELLING ADVERTISING SPACE IN PUBLICATIONS OR SOLICITING FUNDS FOR CHARITIES.
+OBVIOUSLY THESE PERSONS ARE IMPERSONATORS BECAUSE THE DEPARTMENT DOES NOT INSERT ANY ADVERTISEMENTS IN THE INFORMATION PAMPHLETS IT ISSUES TO THE PUBLIC NOR DOES IT SOLICIT FUNDS FOR CHARITIES, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THERE ARE CIRCUMSTANCES, WHEN OFFICERS FROM THE DEPARTMENT, ACTING IN THEIR OFFICIAL CAPACITY, DO CALL AT TAXPAYERS' HOUSES OR PLACES OF BUSINESS TO MAKE OFFICIAL ENQUIRIES OR TO DELIVER CORRESPONDENCE SUCH AS URGENT DEMAND NOTES FOR UNPAID TAX. HOWEVER, IN SUCH CASES, THESE OFFICERS ALWAYS CARRY A DEPARTMENTAL IDENTITY CARD AND A WRITTEN AUTHORITY FROM THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE.
MOREOVER, THESE OFFICERS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO RECEIVE CASH OR CHEQUES IN SETTLEMENT OF TAXES. PAYMENT MUST BE MADE ONLY TO THE LISTED OFFICIAL REVENUE COLLECTION CENTRES SHOWN ON THE DEMAND NOTES.
A NOTE OF IMPERSONATION OF INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT OFFICERS' IS ENCLOSED WITH THE PROFITS TAX RETURN SENT TO THE BUSINESS ENTERPRISES AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH FINANCIAL YEAR TO REMIND THE PUBLIC OF SUCH MALPRACTICES.
SHOULD TAXPAYERS HAVE ANY DOUBT ABOUT THE AUTHENTICITY OF THE CALLER, THEY ARE ADVISED EITHER TO CHECK WITH THE COMPLAINTS SECTION BY TELEPHONING 5-247878 OR 5-245858, OR WITH THE PRINCIPAL TAX INSPECTOR BY DIALLING 5-234166 EXTENSION 26 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
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