Scam emails and phone calls
Fraudsters are continuing to target taxpayers with scam emails in advance of the 31 January deadline for submission of Self Assessment returns. This fraudulent activity will continue after the due date for submission with requests for personal information at a time when many taxpayers will be expecting to hear from HMRC.
A number of these scams purport to tell taxpayers they are due a rebate / refund of tax from HMRC and ask for bank or credit card details in order to send the “refund”. HMRC is also aware of similar fraudulent activities by telephone.
HMRC only ever makes contact with taxpayers due a refund by post and never uses emails, text messages or external companies for this activity. HMRC is aware of companies who issue emails advertising their services. They offer to apply to HMRC for a rebate of National Insurance/tax on the customer’s behalf, usually for a fee. These companies are not connected with HMRC in any way.
HMRC has also published a warning about a new telephone scam where a phone message is left, allegedly from HMRC, stating that HMRC is bringing a lawsuit against the recipient. According to HMRC, this scam is becoming widely reported and seems to be targeting older people.