Shop owners in Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) were recently put on high alert following numerous reports of scams being committed by persons posing as officers of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).
While in Berbice for a Regional Tax Sensitization Campaign during the period June 4 and 5, 2018, a small team from the GRA’s Communication and Tax Advisory Services Division visited shops and supermarkets in New Amsterdam and on the Corentyne Coast to sensitise proprietors about precautionary measures they should take.
The GRA has repeatedly advised members of the public to be on the lookout for persons posing as Customs and Enforcement Officers who are raiding shops and other business premises under the guise of “enforcement checks,” to scam shop owners of their possessions.” Several of these reported acts have occurred in various parts of the country in recent weeks.
In the event that any suspicious activity is observed, persons are advised to request proof of identification since all staff of the GRA are required to carry identification cards during the course of their duties. The identification number and name of any individuals should be noted and verified by calling GRA’s Enforcement hotline 227-6060 extension numbers 3201-3208 or 2601.
Note also that officers of the GRA are NOT authorised to collect monies from taxpayers since all payments are to be made at the GRA’s Headquarters or Regional Office locations.
