Scam warning for tax credit claimants

Tax credit claimants are being urged to be vigilant against fraudsters as HMRC reports a number of new scams.

Issuing a new alert, HMRC warns that criminals are using deadlines – such as the tax credits renewal deadline on the 31^st of July – to target their victims.

Examples of what a typical scam might look like include:

• Emails or texts claiming an individual’s details aren’t up to date and that they risk losing out on payments that are due to them
• Emails or texts claiming that a direct debit payment hasn’t ‘gone through’
• Phone calls threatening arrest if people don’t immediately pay fake tax owed
• Claims that the victim’s national insurance number has been used in fraud
• Emails or texts offering spurious tax rebates or bogus grants or support

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said, “Tax scams come in many forms and we’re urging customers to be alert to the tactics used by fraudsters and never to let yourselves be rushed.

“If someone contacts you saying they’re from HMRC and asks you to give personal information or urgently transfer money, be on your guard. Search ‘HMRC scams’ advice on GOV.UK to find out how to report scams and help us fight these crimes.”

HMRC says that individuals may feel pressured into making rushed decisions by convincing scams, however, it’s important to know that HMRC will never ring anyone out of the blue making threats or asking them to transfer money.

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