The issue of fraudulent cheques and stolen cheques recently came under our attention. The biggest problem identified was with cheques issued to "SARS" or "SAID". These cheques are subject to fraud due to the fact that next to "SARS" or "SAID" the words "trading as..." are written in. Banking institutions accept this due to ignorance and in some cases even open banking accounts.
A request from the Receivers of Revenue is that the public should rather issue cheques to "SARS: The Receiver of Revenue" or "SARS: Customs and Excise" ("SAID: Die Ontvanger van Inkomste" or "SAID: Doeane en Aksyns") in order prevent this occurrence.
ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR INLAND REVENUE
PRETORIA