Taxman says to steer clear of emails
Taxman warns of fake emails
Thursday, 08 Jan 2009 11:01
Criminals are targeting taxpayers with fake emails purporting to be from the taxman to get hold of their personal data.
HM Revenues & Customs (HMRC) is warning in the run-up to Self Assessment tax deadline on January 31st, there has been a rise in 'phishing' emails claiming to be from the taxman and offering tax refunds.
Any contact from HMRC over tax refunds will only come after the January 31st deadline and by post.
People are warned by responding to the phishing emails, and consequently giving details, they are at risk of their accounts being emptied and credit cards being 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."
Investigations into the fake emails have so far resulted in websites being shut down in Austria, Mexico, USA, Thailand and Japan.
HMRC strongly advises:
Any email appearing to originate from HMRC and which offers a tax refund should be forwarded unopened to phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk
Do not click on websites links contained in suspicious emails or open attachments.
If in doubt, please check it out with HMRC at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/security/fraud-attempts.htm
Email addresses used to distribute the fake tax rebate emails include:
refundtax@hmrc.gov.co.uk
TaxRefund@hmrc.gov.uk
service@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk
claims@hmrc.direct.gov.uk
notice@hmrc.gov.uk
hmrc@hmrc.gov.uk
admin@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk
info@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk
no-reply@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk
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