Tax scam warning

Published 18 Jan 2012 09:30

SCAMMERS are trying to con taxpayers out of their cash in the run-up to the Jan 31 self-assessment deadline.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is warning taxpayers not to fall victim to 'phishing' emails, which tell recipients they are due a tax rebate, providing a link to a clone of HMRC's website where victims are asked to give their credit card or bank details.

Victims risk having their bank accounts emptied and their personal details sold on to other organised criminal gangs.

In the last three months, HMRC has helped shut down 185 websites that were responsible for sending out the fake tax rebate emails.

Joan Wood, Director of HMRC Online and Digital said:

"We only ever contact customers who are due a tax refund in writing by post. We currently don't use telephone calls, emails or external companies in these circumstances. If anyone receives an email claiming to be from HMRC, please send it to phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk before deleting it permanently."

If you have reason to believe that you have been the victim of an email scam, report the matter to your bank/card issuer as soon as possible. If in doubt please check with HMRC at www.hmrc.gov.uk/security/fraud-attempts.htm

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This article appeared in The Gazette 18 Jan 12

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