Medium riskBusiness

Fake VAT & Tax Registration Scam

In this scam, third-party sites and callers pose as official tax bodies or agents, charging businesses inflated fees to register for VAT or tax, harvesting company details for a process that is free or low-cost officially.

Quick verdict

Risk level
Medium risk
Scam type
Fake official service (business)
Main red flag
A non-official site or caller charging a fee to register your business for tax.
What to do first
Register directly through the official tax authority website.

What this scam usually looks like

In this scam, third-party sites and callers pose as official tax bodies or agents, charging businesses inflated fees to register for VAT or tax, harvesting company details for a process that is free or low-cost officially.

Small-business and workplace scams target companies with fake invoices, supplier and CEO impersonation, payroll diversion, bogus directory or registration fees, and purchase-order fraud. Business email compromise is among the costliest of all frauds.

The single clearest warning sign to remember is this: A non-official site or caller charging a fee to register your business for tax. Register directly through the official tax authority website.

Not sure this matches what you received? Compare it with the Fake Data Protection Fee Scam or the Directory Listing Scam, browse the Small Business & Workplace Scams guides, or paste the exact message into our free scam checker.

By the numbers

$2.9B
reported lost to business email compromise (BEC) in the US in 2023
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
$12.5B
total reported internet-crime losses in the US in 2023
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center

Example message pattern

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'Register your business for VAT today through our fast-track service. One-time fee covers processing and compliance setup.'

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

Why this is a red flag: A non-official site or caller charging a fee to register your business for tax.

Red flags to watch for

  • A third-party site posing as the tax authority
  • Inflated fees for a free or low-cost official process
  • Requests for company and director details upfront
  • Sponsored ads ranking above official sites
  • Pressure to register quickly to avoid penalties

What to do

  • Register directly through the official tax authority site
  • Check the web address before entering details
  • Use a verified accountant if you want help
  • Report misleading third-party services

If you already clicked or replied

  • Contact your bank if you paid an inflated fee
  • Watch for misuse of your company details
  • Keep records and report the service
  • Register or check your status officially

What not to do

  • Do not register for tax via unofficial sites
  • Do not pay inflated fees for free processes
  • Do not trust sponsored ads as official

Similar scams

Medium risk Business

Fake Data Protection Fee Scam

In this scam, official-looking letters, emails, or calls demand that a business pay a data protection or GDPR 'registration' fee, threatening fines, while impersonating the regulator to collect inflated or bogus payments.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Medium risk Business

Directory Listing Scam

In this scam, businesses receive official-looking invoices or 'renewal' notices for online or print directory listings they never ordered, hoping a busy team pays without checking.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Medium risk Business

Trademark Registration Scam

In this scam, businesses receive official-looking notices to register, renew, or 'protect' a trademark, charging high fees for unnecessary services or registrations that are not official.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Frequently asked questions

Where do I register my business for tax?
Directly through the official tax authority website, or via a verified accountant. Third-party sites charging inflated fees are unnecessary.
Is registering for VAT free?
Official registration is free or low-cost. Services charging large fees for fast-track processing are profiting from a free government process.
I paid a third-party site. What now?
Contact your bank about the fee, watch for misuse of your company details, keep records, and register or check your status officially.
How do I avoid these services?
Go straight to the official tax authority site, ignore sponsored lookalike ads, and use a verified accountant if you need help.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.