HMRC warns of new scam promising tax rebates
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued an urgent warning to UK taxpayers, highlighting a new scam that promises tax rebates.
Like most online scams, those behind it are trying to trick unsuspecting citizens into divulging personal and payment information.
In an effort to tackle this issue, HMRC has emphasised that it does not use email or text messages to notify individuals about tax refunds, and will never impose an urgent deadline to claim such rebates.
This comes as part of an ongoing effort by HMRC to alert and educate the public about the threat of such scams.
“Protect, recognise, report,” urges the HMRC, encouraging everyone to remain vigilant, understand the signs of a potential scam, and report suspicious activities accordingly.
Anyone who encounters suspicious emails purportedly from HMRC are advised to forward them to HMRC’s phishing team at phishing@hmrc.gov.uk.
Similarly, suspicious text messages should be forwarded to 60599.
Text messages will be charged at the individual’s network rate.
As a part of the reporting procedure, people will need to provide their email address when reporting a suspicious phone call using the online form.
This information may be shared with other organisations as a necessary measure to shut down these fraudulent activities.
The recent alert is a reminder that as technology advances, so do the methods employed by scammers.
Therefore, remaining vigilant and following the advice of HMRC — protect, recognise, and report — can go a long way in ensuring personal information and finances stay safe.
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