Authorities block phishing page for NT$6,000 tax rebate

Taipei, March 18 (CNA) A website impersonating a planned government site through which people can register to claim a cash payment of NT$6,000 from the 2022 tax surplus starting March 22 has been blocked by the authorities, according to the Ministry of Finance on Saturday.

The phishing page registered as http://6000govtw.com was designed to trick people into falling for a scam, the ministry said in a social media post.

The ministry has reported the fake page to prosecutors and the case is currently under investigation.

The authorities blocked the page upon being informed of its existence, the ministry said, urging people to stay alert and dial the 165 "anti-fraud hotline" to report to the police any suspected incidences of fraud.

The URL of the fake page looks similar to http://6000.gov.tw which will be launched by the ministry on March 22, as one of several ways for people to claim the NT$6,000 handout.

Backed by legislation, the government will give each Taiwan national and eligible foreign national a one-off cash payment of NT$6,000 as a rebate from last year's "surplus" tax revenue, with the budget bill for the disbursement expected to pass the Legislature on March 24.

Those eligible can receive the handout via a direct deposit following an online application in which they submit their account details, directly from an ATM, or in person at a post office by providing a national identification card and National Health Insurance card, or a birth certificate for children too young to have such cards.

Update

March 20: Taiwan announces dates for NT$6,000 cash payment registration

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