The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) yesterday cautioned the general public to be on the alert for potential scam calls from persons pretending to be GRA representatives.
“It is has come to the attention of the GRA that scammers are calling randomly selected cellular numbers and requesting payment from unsuspecting targets while pretending to representatives of the Revenue Authority.
“The general public is reminded that officers of the GRA are not authorised to collect monies from taxpayers. All payments are effected at the GRA’s Cashiers located at its Headquarters, Regional Offices and/or Licence Revenue Office. You will be issued with an official GRA receipt for all payments to the GRA”, the GRA said in a press release.
It added that alternatively, taxpayers can utilise online payment options the GRA has established with banking and other financial institutions. Taxpayers, the GRA said, can pay their Customs Duty, Corporation Tax, Individual Income Tax, Individual Property Tax, Value Added Tax (VAT), Pay as You Earn (PAYE), and Motor Vehicle Licence fees using the online banking services available at Republic Bank, Demerara Bank and GBTI. A breakdown of the tax type and amount paid must then be presented to the GRA’s Cashiers, it said.
Taxpayers can also utilise GTT’s Mobile Money (MMG) or Bill Express to make payments. The receipt must be presented to complete the transaction.
Members of the public who suspect that they are being scammed are advised to request the name and employee ID of the person pretending to be the GRA representative. They can then report suspected scammers or imposters to the Special Investigation Unit by calling the hotline on 225-5051 or send an email to siu@gra.gov.gy
