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HMRC issue fraudulent email warning

HM Revenue and Customs is warning taxpayers about fraud emails being sent out requesting credit or debit card details.

The emails notify the reicipent that they are due a tax rebate and directs them to a fraudulent HMRC website where they are instructed to enter their card details to receive the rebate.  Anybody that inputs their details into the fake site(s) put themselves at risk of identity fraud and having their bank accounts emptied.

HMRC has been actively searching for and closing down such fraudulent websites and the Director of HMRC’s online and digital operations 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.

“HMRC will do everything possible to ensure those people receiving this email know what steps to take to protect their information, and we are working closely with other law enforcement agencies to target the criminals behind this serious crime and see them brought to justice.”

HMRC also published the following advice:

  • The scam email often begins with a sentence such as ’we have reviewed your tax return and our calculations of your last years accounts a tax refund of XXXX is due.
  • Legitimate tax rebate forms (P800s) from HMRC will  contain a payment order and will never ask for credit or debit card details.
  • Check the advice published at www.hmrc.gov.uk/security/index.htm to see if the email you have received is listed
  • Forward suspicious emails to HMRC at phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk and then delete it from your computer/mail.
  • Do not click on websites, links contained in suspicious emails or open attachments.
  • Follow advice from www.getsafeonline.co.uk.

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 http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/security/fraud-attempts.htm