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Warning over email tax rebate scams
By Hugh FortMarch 12, 2013
More than 80,000 scam tax rebate emails were reported last year as people are warned not to fall victim to online frauds.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has warned people of emails offering a tax refund in exchange for personal, credit card or banking details.
The HMRC is warning anyone who responds risks having their details sold to organised criminal gangs.
Emails often link to a clone of the HMRC website to make the fraud seem more genuine.
However, the HMRC says it never contacts people by email about genuine tax rebates.
Gareth Lloyd, Head of Digital Security for HMRC said: “HMRC does not email customers about tax refunds - we only ever contact customers who are genuinely due tax back in writing, by post.
“If anyone receives an email offering a tax rebate and claiming to be from HMRC, please send it to phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk before deleting it permanently.
"HMRC does everything it can to ensure customers are safe online and we are working closely with other law enforcement agencies to target the criminals behind this serious crime.”
For more information visit www.hmrc.gov.uk/security/fraudattempts.htm
