04/02/2011
HMRC Warns Against ‘Phishy’ Email Scam
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is warning taxpayers to be vigilant following a surge of fake ‘phishing’ emails sent out by fraudsters, following the 31 January Self Assessment tax return filing deadline.
The email informs the recipient they are due a tax rebate, and provides a click-through link to a replica of the HMRC website. The recipient is then asked to provide their credit card details. Fraudsters then try to take money from the account using the details provided. Victims risk having their bank accounts emptied and their personal details sold on to other organised criminal gangs.
In the last three months, HMRC has shut down 99 websites that were responsible for sending out the fake tax rebate emails.
Chris Hopson, Director of Customer Contact at HMRC, said: “As a matter of policy, HMRC will only ever contact customers who are due a tax refund in writing by post. If anyone receives an email offering a tax rebate claiming to be from HMRC, we recommend they send it to phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk before deleting it permanently.”
HMRC thoroughly investigates phishing attacks and works with other law enforcement agencies in the UK and overseas. In the last 18 months, scam networks have been shut down in a number of countries, including Austria, Mexico, the UK, South Korea, the USA, Thailand and Japan.
(BMcN/GK)
The email informs the recipient they are due a tax rebate, and provides a click-through link to a replica of the HMRC website. The recipient is then asked to provide their credit card details. Fraudsters then try to take money from the account using the details provided. Victims risk having their bank accounts emptied and their personal details sold on to other organised criminal gangs.
In the last three months, HMRC has shut down 99 websites that were responsible for sending out the fake tax rebate emails.
Chris Hopson, Director of Customer Contact at HMRC, said: “As a matter of policy, HMRC will only ever contact customers who are due a tax refund in writing by post. If anyone receives an email offering a tax rebate claiming to be from HMRC, we recommend they send it to phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk before deleting it permanently.”
HMRC thoroughly investigates phishing attacks and works with other law enforcement agencies in the UK and overseas. In the last 18 months, scam networks have been shut down in a number of countries, including Austria, Mexico, the UK, South Korea, the USA, Thailand and Japan.
(BMcN/GK)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
08 January 2009
Thousands Of Tax Payers Targeted By Fraudsters
Thousands of British taxpayers are being targeted by fraudsters who are sending fake email messages in the run up to this month's self-assessment deadline. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued the warning of an unprecedented wave of false telephone calls and fake email messages.
Thousands Of Tax Payers Targeted By Fraudsters
Thousands of British taxpayers are being targeted by fraudsters who are sending fake email messages in the run up to this month's self-assessment deadline. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued the warning of an unprecedented wave of false telephone calls and fake email messages.
30 November 2010
Corporation Tax Reform To Create 'Competition'
The Government has published details of its Corporate Tax Reform programme consisting of a series of essential reforms designed to improve the UK's tax competitiveness. Measures include the introduction of new Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) rules and a commitment to introduce a Patent Box.
Corporation Tax Reform To Create 'Competition'
The Government has published details of its Corporate Tax Reform programme consisting of a series of essential reforms designed to improve the UK's tax competitiveness. Measures include the introduction of new Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) rules and a commitment to introduce a Patent Box.
07 August 2009
Police Set Up Email To Trace Killer
Detectives hunting the murderer of a student killed after DJ-ing at a Kennington nightclub have set up a special email address appealing for information. The mailbox: carlsappeal@met.police.
Police Set Up Email To Trace Killer
Detectives hunting the murderer of a student killed after DJ-ing at a Kennington nightclub have set up a special email address appealing for information. The mailbox: carlsappeal@met.police.
09 October 2014
HMRC Admit Errors In Estimated Tax Statements
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has been accused of double standards over accuracy after they admitted that thousands of people will receive a second tax statement because the first was miscalculated. It is understood that over 5 million people were issued an initial estimate because they had paid the wrong amount of tax in the year to April.
HMRC Admit Errors In Estimated Tax Statements
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has been accused of double standards over accuracy after they admitted that thousands of people will receive a second tax statement because the first was miscalculated. It is understood that over 5 million people were issued an initial estimate because they had paid the wrong amount of tax in the year to April.
09 July 2014
HMRC To Get New Powers To Demand Upfront Payments For Disputed Tax
HM Revenue and Customs are preparing to target some of the biggest names in sport, entertainment and business, with the introduction of new powers in a matter of weeks. The new Finance Bill will give HMRC the power to demand payment of disputed tax bills, meaning those in dispute would have to pay upfront.
HMRC To Get New Powers To Demand Upfront Payments For Disputed Tax
HM Revenue and Customs are preparing to target some of the biggest names in sport, entertainment and business, with the introduction of new powers in a matter of weeks. The new Finance Bill will give HMRC the power to demand payment of disputed tax bills, meaning those in dispute would have to pay upfront.