Fake Tax Office Scams in Taiwan
Fraudsters impersonating the Ministry of Finance and National Taxation Bureau of Taiwan to extort immediate payments from residents.
Part of: Fake Tax Office Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Tax authority impersonation is a significant fraud category in Taiwan. Callers and SMS senders claim to be from the National Taxation Bureau (NTB) or Ministry of Finance, alleging unpaid tax or misfiled returns that require immediate payment to avoid asset seizure or criminal prosecution.
These scams are particularly effective during annual tax filing season and often target salaried workers who have recently filed returns and may have uncertainty about whether they owe money.
How this scam works on Taiwan
A victim receives a call from a number spoofed to match an NTB area code, claiming their income tax return has triggered a compliance review. The officer offers to resolve the issue by accepting a direct payment via ATM or bank transfer before the case proceeds to the tax tribunal.
In SMS variants, a message claims that a refund due to the victim cannot be processed because their registered bank account requires verification. A link leads to a form collecting account credentials.
Multiple callers may play different roles — a frontline officer, a supervisor, and sometimes a fake court official — to add institutional weight to the demand.
Common red flags
- Unsolicited call about unpaid tax demanding immediate ATM payment
- Caller instructs you to keep the matter confidential while it is resolved
- Multiple handoffs between callers representing different official roles
- SMS with a refund link leading to an account verification form
- Demand for payment by ATM, gift card, or crypto — not through official NTB channels
- Pressure to act within hours to avoid arrest or asset freezing
How to protect yourself
- Know that the Taiwan NTB sends written notices by post before any enforcement action
- Hang up and call the NTB directly on 0800-000-321 to verify any tax issue
- Tell family members immediately if you receive such a call — secrecy demands are a scam signal
- Install the 165 anti-fraud app which flags known scam numbers
- Never visit an ATM in response to a tax-related phone instruction
- Confirm your tax status directly at etax.nat.gov.tw
How to report it
- Call Taiwan Anti-Fraud Hotline 165
- Contact the National Taxation Bureau directly at 0800-000-321 to report impersonation
- File a complaint with the National Police Agency at npa.gov.tw
Frequently asked questions
How does the Taiwan NTB actually contact taxpayers about outstanding amounts?
The NTB sends formal written notices to the taxpayer's registered address. All payments are made through official government payment channels — not ATMs directed by a phone call. If you owe tax, you will receive a written demand first, and you can verify your status at etax.nat.gov.tw.