HMRC warning about phishing scams

HMRC are warning taxpayers to be wary of the latest in a long line of email phishing scams that claim to offer tax rebates in return for bank account details.

HMRC have received over 23,000 reports of phishing scam emails in the three months to the 31 January 2014 self assessment deadline which is a 47% increase on the same period in 2013.

HMRC have confirmed that it never contacts taxpayers via e-mail regarding a refund and advised anyone who receives an email claiming to be from HMRC:

• not to click on any links or attachments
• forward it to phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk and then
• delete it permanently.

HMRC have published advice and examples of typical fake emails at www.hmrc.gov.uk/security/index.htm.

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