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08/01/2009
Thousands Of Tax Payers Targeted By Fraudsters
Thousands of British taxpayers are being targeted by fraudsters who are sending fake email messages in the run up to this month's self-assessment deadline.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued the warning of an unprecedented wave of false telephone calls and fake email messages.
The scams tell the recipient they are due a tax refund and ask for bank or credit card details so that the fictitious tax refund can be paid out.
HMRC is also aware of a growing number of telephone scams with fraudsters posing as tax officials arranging rebate payments.
There have been over 11,000 reports of fraudulent repayment emails since April last year.
Customers who provide their details to the fraudsters risk their accounts being emptied and credit cards used to their limit.
The victim also risks having their personal details sold on to other organised criminal gangs.
Lesley Strathie, HMRC Chief Executive said: "This is the most sophisticated and prolific phishing scam that we have encountered. We only ever contact customers who are due a refund in writing by post.
"We never use emails, telephone calls or external companies in these circumstances. I would strongly encourage anyone receiving such an email to send it to us for investigation."
A HMRC spokesman also said officials were working alongside police in Austria, Mexico, the United States, Thailand and Japan to tackle the fraudsters.
(JM/BMcC)
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued the warning of an unprecedented wave of false telephone calls and fake email messages.
The scams tell the recipient they are due a tax refund and ask for bank or credit card details so that the fictitious tax refund can be paid out.
HMRC is also aware of a growing number of telephone scams with fraudsters posing as tax officials arranging rebate payments.
There have been over 11,000 reports of fraudulent repayment emails since April last year.
Customers who provide their details to the fraudsters risk their accounts being emptied and credit cards used to their limit.
The victim also risks having their personal details sold on to other organised criminal gangs.
Lesley Strathie, HMRC Chief Executive said: "This is the most sophisticated and prolific phishing scam that we have encountered. We only ever contact customers who are due a refund in writing by post.
"We never use emails, telephone calls or external companies in these circumstances. I would strongly encourage anyone receiving such an email to send it to us for investigation."
A HMRC spokesman also said officials were working alongside police in Austria, Mexico, the United States, Thailand and Japan to tackle the fraudsters.
(JM/BMcC)
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