HMRC issues new warning about fraudsters offering bogus tax rebate offers

14 February 2024 , 14:39

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Taxpayers are being warned about bogus tax refund offers (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)

HMRC has issued a warning about fake tax refund offers that could trick people who have recently submitted their tax return.

Fraudsters may use email, phone calls or text messages to offer a bogus tax rebate. Scammers design phishing scams to steal personal details for selling on to criminals or to access people's bank accounts.

They mimic the design and branding of genuine websites to trick people into giving away their personal details, which they then use to access bank accounts or sell on. In the year leading up to January, HMRC responded to 207,800 referrals from the public about suspicious contact, an increase of 14% from the previous year. Many of these referrals offered fake tax rebates.

Over the same period, HMRC reported 26,443 malicious web pages to internet service providers to be taken down, a rise of 29% compared to the previous year. HMRC has clarified that it will not email, text or call customers to tell them they are due a refund or ask them to request one. I

nstead, people receive repayments into their chosen bank account and can see any transactions in their online HMRC account and in the HMRC app. Kelly Paterson, HMRC's chief security officer, warned: "With the deadline for tax returns behind us, criminals will now try to trick people with fake offers of tax rebates."

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She added that scammers use emails, phone calls, and texts that look like they're from the government. Don't rush into anything, take your time and check HMRC scams advice on gov.uk."

If you get a dodgy email, send it to [email protected], and report scam calls on the gov.uk website. You can also text 60599 if you get a suspicious text pretending to be from HMRC.

Lawrence Matheson