SCAM ALERT:Reports fraudsters claiming to be from HMRC targeting Flintshire residents

Fraudsters pretending to be from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) have been reported to be targeting residents in Flintshire today.

Flintshire Trading Standards posted a warning on its Facebook page this morning about scammers attempting to dupe unsuspecting residents into paying bogus debts and taxes.

Trading Standards said today’s attempts involved a phone call telling the recipient that they have underpaid on their tax and that unless you pay up immediately either police or HMRC officials will raid your home and take what is owed or that you will be arrested.

HMRC scams are common according to Action Fraud, the national fraud and cyber-crime reporting centre, often householders are asked to pay phoney debts using online music store iTunes’ gift cards.

Scammers ask for the cards’ serial numbers to be read to them over the phone, details they then sell on or use to redeem the cards’ value

HMRC DO NOT work in this way and will not cold call anyone making threats such as this.

It is a scam and advice is to terminate the call immediately.

Sadly, HMRC scams are widely reported and tend to target older people.

You should never disclose your personal details to anyone calling and purporting to be from HMRC.

If you do receive call report it to Action Fraud via their website – click here – or you can call them on 0300 123 2040.