Doha [Qatar], February 26: The General Tax Authority (GTA) has issued an urgent public warning after detecting a wave of fraudulent messages being circulated via email and text messages, falsely claiming to represent the Authority and attempting to deceive taxpayers into sharing sensitive personal and financial information.
According to the Authority, the scam messages typically include suspicious links and misleading claims such as eligibility for tax refunds, requests to update taxpayer details, or instructions to verify accounts. The GTA confirmed that these communications are not affiliated with the Authority in any way and are part of coordinated phishing attempts designed to compromise personal data and financial security.
The GTA stressed that it does not request confidential information, personal identification numbers, banking details, or account credentials through email or SMS. It further clarified that all official tax services, notifications, and procedures are conducted exclusively through the Authority's approved communication channels and the "Dhareeba" digital tax platform.
The Authority urged taxpayers and businesses to remain vigilant, avoid clicking on unknown links, and refrain from responding to messages that appear suspicious or unsolicited. Members of the public were advised to independently verify any communication claiming to be from the GTA by checking official contact details and platforms before taking any action.
In its statement, the Authority highlighted the growing sophistication of digital fraud schemes and called on taxpayers to play an active role in protecting their information. "Cybercriminals often use urgent language and official-looking branding to pressure recipients into acting quickly. Such tactics should be treated as a red flag," the GTA noted.
The Authority also called on the public to report any suspected fraudulent messages or impersonation attempts to the competent authorities, as well as through official reporting channels, to help limit the spread of scams and protect the wider community.
The GTA reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding taxpayer data and maintaining the integrity and security of Qatar's tax system, encouraging individuals and businesses to rely solely on verified platforms and official channels for all tax-related services and correspondence.
Source: Qatar Tribune
