22 Jul 2009
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is warning of an increase in "phishing" emails that claim to originate from the department.
The scams tell the recipient they are due a tax refund and ask for bank or credit card details so the fictitious tax refund can be paid out. These details are used to access a person's bank account, or passed on to other criminals.
Further reading
HMRC chief executive Lesley Strathie said the department only contacts customers who are due a refund in writing by post.
"We never use emails, telephone calls or external companies in these circumstances. I would strongly encourage anyone receiving such an email to immediately send it to us for investigation and delete it from their computer," he said.
The scam email often begins with a sentence such as: "Following a review of your fiscal activity you are due a refund of tax of £XXX".
HMRC is taking action to disrupt these attacks and says co-operation with other law enforcement agencies in the UK and overseas has seen a number of scam networks shut down – most recently in July in Korea, Thailand, UK and the US.
In the last 12 months HMRC has received more than 15,000 reports of fraudulent repayment emails.
Suspicious emails can be forwarded to HMRC at phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk.
I got this today 16/11/10.
Form asked for credit card details as they appear for card holder plus mothers maiden name ! As it happens I am in the process of sorting out a overpayment of tax for my husband but no name appeared on this email - so beware and ignore. Forward to HMRC then delete.
Posted by: Louise Neale 16 Nov 2010
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