HMRC has issued a warning to taxpayers regarding the latest tax refund scams. These scams are targeting individuals via telephone, email and SMS text messages.
In many cases the fraudsters are sending scam messages which claim that taxpayers are entitled to a rebate. These messages go on to request that they provide their personal and account details in order to make their claim.
Please note that HMRC will only ever inform individuals of a tax refund by post or through their employer.
HMRC communications
You will never get an email, text message, call or voicemail from HMRC, which:
- tells you about a tax rebate or penalty
- asks for your personal or payment information.
Avoid and report
HMRC’s advice is clear. Avoid and report internet scams and phishing emails.
If you are not sure whether an email is genuine, do not:
- Give out private information (such as bank details or passwords);
- Reply to text messages;
- Download attachments or,
- Click on any links in emails.
You can report something suspicious to HMRC’s phishing team, for example:
- a text message (forward it to 60599 – you’ll be charged at your network rate)
- an email
- details of a phone call asking for personal information or threatening a lawsuit
Furthermore, if you receive a suspicious phone call, you can help HMRC’s investigations by providing:
- the caller’s phone number
- the date of the call
- a brief description of the call
You can send this information to the HMRC phishing team at phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk
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