Our advice is to keep your antivirus software up to date, don’t open zip files or other unusual endings and stay vigilant.
Here are a list of scams to avoid:
1. HMRC
HMRC has issued warnings over a surge in phishing emails offering fake tax rebates. Roughly 23,000 fake HMRC emails were reported in the three months before the January 31 cut-off for returns – up 50% on the year before.
Another scam is a phone call from a person saying they are from HMRC stating that tax is owed and can be paid over the phone by credit or debit card – false authentication codes are quoted.
Other HMRC scams to look out for include scams for tax refunds, successful VAT submission, Gateway Notification Registration plus others.
Scams should be forwarded to phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk. For a list of scams see – www.hmrc.gov.uk/security/examples.htm
2. Companies House
Acknowledgements of information on companies. Companies House are also reporting bogus phone calls asking for company and director information. For a list of scams with examples see – www.companieshouse.gov.uk/about/miscellaneous/misc1.shtml
3. Amazon
An email thanking for an order – with a zip file attachment.
4. Courier deliveries
Parcels can/cannot/waiting to be delivered quoting a (high rate) number to call.
5. ‘Zip’ file and any other unusual file ending
Zip files are used to compress information and data, which is why they are the file of choice for the scammers, who use zip files to compress computer programmes which are activated if the file is opened and can embed viruses or Trojans onto the computer, causing blockage, damage or transmitting information to another computer somewhere in the world.
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