Beware: Tax Scam Modus Operandi via WhatsApp After Submitting SPT

JAKARTA - Taxpayers are advised to increase their vigilance against the proliferation of scam messages masquerading as those from tax officials via the WhatsApp application, especially after reporting the Annual Tax Notification (SPT).

Amid the rising use of digital services by the Directorate General of Taxes (DJP) through the Coretax DJP system, a new modus operandi has emerged targeting taxpayers under the pretext of data updates.

These messages typically claim to originate from tax officials and request taxpayers to verify or update their data after submitting the SPT.

This phenomenon is considered risky because taxpayers who have just fulfilled their reporting obligations tend to view follow-up communications as normal.

Suspicious messages generally come from unknown numbers, do not include official tax office identities, and use urgent or intimidating language, such as threats of sanctions if data is not updated promptly.

Additionally, requests for sensitive data such as tax account passwords, OTP codes, and financial information are strong indicators that the message does not come from official authorities.

In facing such situations, taxpayers are advised not to provide any data via messages, not to click on unclear links, and not to immediately trust the message content before verification.

The safest step is to confirm directly through official DJP channels or by visiting the nearest tax service office.

Amid the extensive digitalisation of tax services, the ability to discern information and protect personal data confidentiality is key to avoiding scams.