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Scams are prevalent, ranging from fake job offers to phishing emails masquerading as government agencies.

But the reality is:

Not all scam alerts are easy to spot, and many victims only realise it after losing money.

Some are buried in news reports. Others are lost in long government briefings.

That’s why our ACE team handpicked the most easily-fall-for scam cases, with clear highlights on what happened, how scammers operate, and how you can protect yourself.

Here’s what you need to know right now:

In the rest of this article, we’ll break down the top scams, official warnings, and real prevention tips , straight from our experience and government best guidance.

Tax Refund and Payout Scam

Example: Scammers trying to trick you into giving away your bank or card details using fake IRAS emails

Our advice: If it sounds too good to be true — like a surprise refund — it probably is. Always go directly to mytax.iras.gov.sg and never trust refund emails, even if they look official.

What to watch out for

You may receive emails claiming you’re eligible for a tax refund or payout from IRAS — often due to “overcharges” or “government support schemes.” These emails look official but are phishing scams.

When you click the link in the email, it takes you to a fake IRAS website where you’re asked to choose a refund method — usually credit or debit card.
Some links may even install malware on your device: viruses, spyware, ransomware, or adware.

What’s legit from IRAS?

Here’s how real tax refunds from IRAS work — no clicking required:

1. Refunds are automatically credited to your bank account registered with IRAS or via PayNow (NRIC/FIN/UEN)
2. IRAS does not issue refunds to credit or debit cards
3. All refund status updates can be checked securely via myTax Portal
4. IRAS will never send emails disclosing your refund amount — all personal tax details are kept within myTax Portal

How to protect yourself

• Never disclose your bank login, password, or OTP to anyone — not even to “IRAS” via email
• Always check the sender’s email address — a real IRAS email ends with @iras.gov.sg
• Do not trust the sender name “IRAS” alone — scammers can spoof this to look legit
• Think before you click: avoid following steps from emails asking for tax refunds
• Enable Singpass login notifications — you’ll get alerted when someone tries to access your account on a new browser or device

Use an email provider that supports DMARC to help filter out spoofed IRAS emails

Tax Filing and Payment Scam

Example: Scammers use fear and urgency to trick you into paying “outstanding taxes” or revealing sensitive information

Our advice: Scammers prey on your fear of penalties, but IRAS will never threaten you or ask for card details outside of its secure portal. Always go directly to the myTax Portal to check your status and make payments safely.

What to watch out for

You may receive emails, letters, SMSes, or even chatbot messages pretending to be from IRAS, accusing you of tax discrepancies or unpaid taxes.

The message may threaten penalties if you don’t act fast — and direct you to click a link or transfer money to a specified bank account.

Once you click the phishing link, you’re sent to a fake IRAS site where you’re asked to:

1. Select a refund or payment method (e.g. debit or credit card)
2. Enter card details and One-Time Passwords (OTPs)
3. Some variations claim you must submit personal details (e.g. bank info, OTPs, or credit card data) to comply with a tax audit or to view a Tax Clearance certificate.

What’s legit from IRAS?

Here’s how real tax filing and payment communications from IRAS work:

1.  All official tax letters and notices are sent only to your myTax Portal inbox
2. You will never receive tax returns or assessments via email, SMS, or chatbot
3. Access to myTax Portal always requires a Singpass login
4. IRAS informs you via SMS or email only to notify you to check your myTax Portal — never with sensitive tax data
5.  GIRO is the preferred and safe method for paying taxes, offering interest-free monthly installments
6. IRAS does not send payment links in messages or ask for direct transfers to personal bank accounts
7. All IRAS websites display a lock icon (🔒) in the browser URL — this confirms the site is encrypted and secure

How to protect yourself

• Don’t panic if you receive urgent tax messages — verify them first through the myTax Portal
• Never share personal banking or OTP details, even if the message claims to be from IRAS
•  Avoid clicking on links or downloading files from unsolicited tax-related emails or SMSes
• Always look for the lock icon in the browser when visiting IRAS websites
•  Keep your mobile number and email updated with IRAS to receive proper alerts to log in and check official documents
•  When in doubt, you must log in to mytax.iras.gov.sg and ignore all third-party links

Fake Stamp Certificate Scam

Example: Scammers impersonating property agents and demanding fake ABSD or stamp duty payments upfront

Our advice: Scammers are using tenancy deals to trick renters into paying bogus duties. Always check duties at the source — IRAS and CEA, not your inbox.

What to watch out for

You may be contacted via phone calls, social media, or email by someone claiming to be a property agent. They’ll ask you to pay Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) or Stamp Duty to “secure your rental property.”

In some cases, scammers claim that the amount will be refunded after the lease ends — making the scam sound more convincing.

But here’s the truth:

• ABSD is not payable for tenancy agreements
• You should never be asked to pay duties directly to an individual or agent

What’s legit from IRAS?

Here’s how stamp duty really works — and how to check for scams:

1. ABSD is not required for rental or tenancy agreements
2. All stamp duty payments should be made directly to IRAS via GIRO, AXS, or PayNow
3. You should never hand over banking or credit card details to an agent to secure a rental unit
4.  You can verify the authenticity of any stamp certificate using IRAS’ e-Stamping Portal
5.  Always check if a property agent is legitimately registered on the CEA public register
6. Be cautious — scammers sometimes use the name of a real agent but provide a fake mobile number

How to protect yourself:

• Verify all stamp certificates using the official IRAS e-Stamping Portal
• Cross-check agent names and mobile numbers on the CEA public register
• Never send personal data or payment to someone claiming duties are needed to rent a property
• Do not trust promises of “refundable duties” — this is a red flag
• Always make stamp duty payments through secure, IRAS-approved methods only (GIRO, AXS, PayNow)

Investment scam

Example: Scammers posing as financial firms or crypto platforms demanding fake tax payments on your investment profits

Our advice: Scammers are using fake tax requirements to block or delay withdrawals. Don’t fall for it — Singapore doesn’t tax personal investment profits, and IRAS doesn’t use crypto platforms or unofficial links for tax collection.

What to watch out for

You may get a call, email, or social media message from someone claiming to be from a bank, crypto exchange, or investment platform.
They’ll tell you that before you can receive your investment profits or dividends, you must first pay capital gains tax, income tax, GST, or Stamp Duty.

They often pressure you to:

• Transfer money to a third-party bank account
• Use digital payment links or credit card payments
• Act fast to avoid penalties, late fees, or account suspension

But here’s the truth:

•  Capital gains tax doesn’t exist in Singapore for personal investment profits
• IRAS will never ask you to pay taxes via investment platforms or intermediaries

What’s legit from IRAS?

Here’s how real investment taxation works in Singapore:

• There is no capital gains tax in Singapore — profits from the sale of shares, crypto, or property (held for personal investment) are generally not taxable
• Profits and losses from financial instruments, including digital tokens, are usually viewed as personal investments and not taxed
• IRAS does not use third parties or payment links to collect taxes
• You can check the legitimacy of financial institutions via the Financial Institutions Directory or the Investor Alert List on the MAS website

How to protect yourself:

Be skeptical of any message asking you to pay taxes before withdrawing investments

• Research the platform or institution via MAS directories before engaging
• Learn about tax payment methods for different tax types on the official IRAS website
• Never send money to third-party accounts or use digital payment links from unofficial sources
• When in doubt, contact IRAS or MAS directly to verify the request

Stay safe, stay compliant, ACE’s got your back

Scam tactics are getting more sophisticated, but staying informed helps you stay one step ahead.

As tax experts, we help individuals and businesses stay fully compliant, optimize their tax strategies, and avoid falling for scams disguised as official messages.

Your next step? Stay vigilant, stay compliant — and if you ever need support, you can always count on us.

From tax filing to fraud prevention, we’re here to help you protect what matters.

If your company needs help filing taxes for the year 2025 or requires assistance with Singapore incorporation, economy, banking, etc., feel free to call /WhatsApp us at +65 90612851 or email us at aceglobalacct@gmail.com. Alternatively, you may leave us a reply using our contact form below.

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