HMRC Cautions Tax-paying Citizens about Fake E-mails

HMRC is urging people paying taxes, for remaining vigilant about scam e-mails presently circulating online while attempting at attacking them, so published champnews.com dated December 12, 2011.

Displaying the caption "Tax Refund Notification," the scam electronic mail addressing the taxpayer requests him to send the tax re-imbursement application as well as let 6-9 days for its processing. However, he needs to follow certain given instructions in order to avail the reimbursement, the email states.

Subsequently, the e-mail diverts the recipient onto a website having one online "refund form" that pulls out personal information with his bank details included.

A few of the false sender's ids getting utilized within the scam e-mail are message@tax.co.uk, services@hmrc.co.uk and alertsonline@hmrc.co.uk, HMRC Officials state.

Also according to the Officials, they first came to know of the scam when Barry Griffiths Councilor of Formby got the e-mail as well as alerted via informing about it to HMRC.

The tax office handled the problem through its authorized Internet site, suggesting that it had lately declared about getting in touch with the large number of tax-paying individuals during the months ahead regarding 'PAYE tax-statements.' However, the taxpayers must remain wary about online scams attempting at taking advantage of those who were likely to believe about getting a refund, the notice added.

But HMRC stated that it solely contacted consumers regarding any tax-refund through postal correspondence alone and didn't utilize e-mail, telephone alternatively outside organizations. Still incase anybody got an e-mail asserting it was from HMRC he might forward it at phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk and then erase it wholly from his inbox.

And, incase any taxpayer thought that the scam e-mail supposedly from HMRC had victimized him then he might inform his card/banking institution. Further, for clearing any doubt, he might verify with HMRC at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/security/fraud-attempts.htm, the agency outlined.

Moreover, HMRC jointly with agencies of law enforcement was working for catching the perpetrators of the heinous offence as well as ensuring that they were suitably punished.

Meanwhile, in likewise scam, taxpayers in India are also receiving tax-refund related phishing electronic mails supposedly from the country's Income Tax Department, as news reports indicate.

Related article: HMRC - Fake Refund E-mails Tricking Tax Payers

» SPAMfighter News - 12/21/2011