HMRC have seen a sharp increase in the number of scam emails and text messages that claim members of the public have received a tax rebate, only for their bank account and personal details to be handed over to cyber criminals.
Criminals are sending these phishing emails now to coincide with the period in which HMRC issues genuine tax refunds through the post (if you are entitled to a refund, you can expect a legitimate letter from HMRC between June and October). Criminals also use other periodical events such as the self-assessment deadline in order to catch out members of the public that believe the emails they have received are legitimate
We would, therefore, like to highlight a few points to users of our App and website, which could prevent personal data from getting into the wrong hands:
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â HMRC will never use text or emails to tell you about a tax rebate or penalty or ask for personal or payment information.
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Genuine financial organizations like HMRC and banks will never contract somebody asking for their bank details, passwords or PIN. Emails received out of the blue should also be treated as suspicious.
–         HMRC have created a guide focusing on phishing emails and bogus contact. Here’s the link. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/phishing-and-bogus-emails-hm-revenue-and-customs-examples…
