HMRC are warning millions of customers about potential fraudsters. Last year, out of nearly 900,000 reports of suspicious HMRC contact more than 100,000 were phone scams and over 260,000 were about bogus tax rebates.
The most common techniques are phoning regarding fake tax refunds or sending a link via text or e-mail to a false page where bank details and money will be stolen. Some customers have also been threatened with arrest or imprisonment if a bogus tax bill is not paid.
These are the things HMRC will never ask for.
E-mail – Notification of a tax rebate or refund via e-mail from HMRC. Fraudsters can spoof a genuine e-mail address or change the “display name” so it looks genuine.
Text messages – HMRC will never request personal or financial information via a text message.
Tax rebate scams containing PDF attachments – they will never send you a PDF attachment to download!
Bogus phone calls – HMRC will never call you saying you owe money and that they are taking you to court. Neither will they offer a tax refund and request your bank or credit card information.
If you are unsure if genuine verify the identity of the caller e.g. ask them what your UTR is or ask them for their number and name to call them back. If at all unsure do not speak to them.
There are various numbers that fraudsters use and to help HMRC it is useful to let them know the details of the scam,
- Date of the call
- Phone number used
- Content of the call
WhatsApp & Social media scams – HMRC will never send details of a tax refund or request personal or financial information via WhatsApp message or direct message you through social media.
Refund companies – these companies are not connected to HMRC and you should read the small print/disclaimer before using such a service or providing them personal or business information.
Export clearance process (delivery stop order) e-mails – they will never send e-mails claiming that goods are been withheld by customs and payment required before their release. The “419 scams.”
In all the above cases
- Organisations such as HMRC and banks will never ask for PIN, password or bank details
- Never reply to any communications or open any links or attachments
- Never provide personal & financial information
- Forward the scam information to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk or text messages can be sent to 60599 (network charges apply).
- Delete the communication or end the call.
To read further and see examples of what such communications look like go to GOV.UK if at all unsure about any communications then give us a call on 0113 286 4486
Source: GOV.UK
Photo: Photo by Hal Gatewood on Unsplash
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