Latest Accountancy News - March 2010

HMRC Offer Advice on Fraud Emails

HMRC are warning taxpayers to be vigilant as there have been several reports of scam emails offering a tax repayment. Taxpayers should not respond to any email promising a tax repayment.

The email advises the recipient they are due a tax refund and directs them to an online form to provide bank or credit card details for the payment of the "rebate".

Where taxpayers believe they may have been the victim of an email scam they should report the matter to their bank/card issuer as soon as possible. HMRC are advising that those providing their details have had their accounts emptied and credit cards used to their limit. Victims are also at risk of having their personal details sold on to organised criminal gangs.

HMRC are expecting an increase in this type of email as following the Self Assessment filing deadline, many taxpayers will be waiting to receive confirmation of their repayment.

HMRC said:

"We only ever contact customers who are due a refund by post. We never use emails, telephone calls or external companies in these circumstances. We strongly urge anyone receiving such an email to send it to us for investigation before deleting it."

HMRC’s further advice is to:

• Check the advice published at www.hmrc.gov.uk/security/index.htm to see if the email you have received is listed.
• Forward suspicious emails to HMRC at phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk and then delete it from your computer/mail account.
• Do not click on websites, links contained in suspicious emails or open attachments
• Follow advice from www.getsafeonline.co.uk
• Check with HMRC at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/security/fraud-attempts.htm

Internet link: Press release