HMRC Warns People to be Wary of Scam Emails Promising Tax Refunds

Accountancylive.com reported on 16th June, 2014 stating that HMRC, Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, taxing agency of UK government, is warning tax payers about scam or 'phishing' emails promising refund of tax being sent by fraudsters before renewal deadline of 31st July, 2014.

HMRC said that May 2014 recorded 11,219 phishing emails which is 131% more than during the same month last year.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) received report of around 25,000 phishing emails during renewal period of last year which runs from April to July.

The tax authority closed down 1,740 total illegal sites mostly originating from Turkey, Spain and Bulgaria during 2013. However, phishing emails also came from UK and USA.

If a recipient clicks on a link in these emails, he/she is taken to a fake HMRC website and asked to provide debit or credit card details along with other sensitive information like passwords.

Personal details of victims can be sold to criminal gangs which may cause theft of identity and their money also being stolen from bank accounts.

HMRC is asking recipients not to click on links and open attachments in suspicious emails and should forward such emails to phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk and then delete these emails.

One scam email was identified which was sent from 'taxreturn@hmrc.gov.uk' informing recipients about tax refund report of 2013. The email seems to be sent by 'Tax credit Office Preston' which includes an attachment containing virus.

Easier.com published a statement on 16th June, 2014 quoting Nick Lodge, Director General of Benefits and Credits of HMRC as saying "HMRC will never ask people for personal information through email. We are committed to security of claimant's online transactions but people need to be alert and careful because fraudsters are constantly changing their method to obtain information."

HMRC asked people to check its hmrc.gov.uk/security/advice.htm for its advice on online security.

From this year, claimants of tax refunds with no changes in the report might be able to renew online by using the official GOV.UK website or via an HMRC mobile app besides renewing by post and phone.

» SPAMfighter News - 6/24/2014