Tax payers are being warned of the latest HMRC scam that has emails being sent to people claiming that they are entitled to a tax refund.
During a similar scam in May last year, Treasury Minister Mel Stride MP gave the following advice, “HMRC only informs you about tax refunds through the post or through your pay via your employer. All emails, text messages, or voicemail messages saying you have a tax refund are a scam. Do not click on any links in these messages, and forward them to HMRC’s phishing email address and phone number.
“We know that criminals will try and use events like the end of the financial year, the self-assessment deadline, and the issuing of tax refunds to target the public and attempt to get them to reveal their personal data. It is important to be alert to the danger.”
HMRC advises tax payers to:
– Recognise the signs– genuine organisations like banks and HMRC will never contact you out of the blue to ask for your PIN, password or bank details.
– Stay safe– do not give out private information, reply to text messages, download attachments or click on links in emails you weren’t expecting
– Take action– forward suspicious emails claiming to be from HMRC to phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk and texts to 60599, or contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 to report any suspicious calls.
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