The Tax and Customs Administration (BIR) on Monday urged the public not to purchase Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) cards from online vendors.

The BIR reiterated the warning after discovering that several individuals are offering TIN ID assistance through Facebook, Shopee, Lazada and other online selling platforms.

“These offers of TIN ID assistance posted on online channels or sales platforms are not authorized by the BIR and are therefore considered illegal. Do not be fooled by such offers,” said Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr.

According to the BIR, the Client Support Service held a dialogue with representatives of Shopee and Lazada last month to draw their attention to such illegal activities and request them to immediately remove all advertisements/posts offering assistance in obtaining a TIN ID.