Online scams are on the rise - according to recent data from a NatWest survey, 61% of respondents saw digital scams on a more regular basis than “real life” cons. More alarmingly, 13% of those surveyed stated that they had previously fallen victim to such fraud in the past. In December 2022, the National Cyber Security Centre stated that HMRC were the third “most impersonated” government organisation, with scammers exploiting the rising cost of living by declaring that the victim is due a repayment. Given the surge in prevalence of these scams, it’s crucial to understand how to remain vigilant online to avoid any financial losses.
To avoid falling victim to these scams, it’s important to understand the means by which HMRC will communicate with you. Although HMRC sometimes communicate via email, they will never send emails requesting personal information or advising of refunds. If you find an email in your inbox to this end, purporting to be from HMRC, it will not be from them. Despite the allure of a potential “repayment”, delete the email straight away or send it to HMRC at phishing@hmrc.gov.uk and then delete it. If the email is opened by accident, do not click on any website links, open any attachments or reply to the email.
Similarly, HMRC may contact you via text message to inform you of claims, or to remind you to submit Self-Assessment tax returns, but they will never ask for personal information and genuine texts from HMRC will not include links to any websites. It’s also important to note that HMRC will never contact you through any social media channels, by WhatsApp or telephone. If you’re approached in such a manner, it’s safe to assume that it will not be them, so delete any messages or hang up.
Although HMRC do have an X (formerly Twitter) account, they will never use it to ask you to contact them for repayments or to provide information. If you do have an X account, the best way to protect yourself is to become familiar with HMRC’s X account so that bogus X accounts can quickly be identified and reported..
Speaking to the independent, a HMRC spokesperson stated “Tax scams come in many forms. Some offer a rebate, others tell you that your tax details are out of date or threaten immediate arrest for tax evasion. Never let yourself be rushed. If someone contacts you saying they’re HMRC, wanting you to urgently transfer money or give personal information, be on your guard.” These scams rely on people being panicked and confused, thus it’s important to stop and assess any communication claiming to be HMRC; if something looks or feels uncertain, be sure to consult HMRC’s guidance via their official communication channels prior to taking any further action.
View HMRC's full guidance here.
Online scams are on the rise - according to recent data from a NatWest survey, 61% of respondents saw digital scams on a more regular basis than “real life” cons. More alarmingly, 13% of those surveyed stated that they had previously fallen victim to such fraud in the past. In December 2022, the National Cyber Security Centre stated that HMRC were the third “most impersonated” government organisation, with scammers exploiting the rising cost of living by declaring that the victim is due a repayment. Given the surge in prevalence of these scams, it’s crucial to understand how to remain vigilant online to avoid any financial losses.
To avoid falling victim to these scams, it’s important to understand the means by which HMRC will communicate with you. Although HMRC sometimes communicate via email, they will never send emails requesting personal information or advising of refunds. If you find an email in your inbox to this end, purporting to be from HMRC, it will not be from them. Despite the allure of a potential “repayment”, delete the email straight away or send it to HMRC at phishing@hmrc.gov.uk and then delete it. If the email is opened by accident, do not click on any website links, open any attachments or reply to the email.
Similarly, HMRC may contact you via text message to inform you of claims, or to remind you to submit Self-Assessment tax returns, but they will never ask for personal information and genuine texts from HMRC will not include links to any websites. It’s also important to note that HMRC will never contact you through any social media channels, by WhatsApp or telephone. If you’re approached in such a manner, it’s safe to assume that it will not be them, so delete any messages or hang up.
Although HMRC do have an X (formerly Twitter) account, they will never use it to ask you to contact them for repayments or to provide information. If you do have an X account, the best way to protect yourself is to become familiar with HMRC’s X account so that bogus X accounts can quickly be identified and reported..
Speaking to the independent, a HMRC spokesperson stated “Tax scams come in many forms. Some offer a rebate, others tell you that your tax details are out of date or threaten immediate arrest for tax evasion. Never let yourself be rushed. If someone contacts you saying they’re HMRC, wanting you to urgently transfer money or give personal information, be on your guard.” These scams rely on people being panicked and confused, thus it’s important to stop and assess any communication claiming to be HMRC; if something looks or feels uncertain, be sure to consult HMRC’s guidance via their official communication channels prior to taking any further action.
View HMRC's full guidance here.
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