Email fraudsters are using HMRC as a cover for fraudulent “phishing” scams, offering vulnerable business owners so-called tax rebates.
“Phishers”, so-called because they fish information from random people on the internet, send you an email or pop-up message on a website claiming to be from an organisation you may deal with - for example, a bank or online payment service.
The message is likely to ask you to 'update', 'validate', or 'confirm' your account information and will then probably direct you to a website that looks just like the real thing.
AMI director Robert Sinclair received the latest wheeze, a supposed tax rebate email from [email protected] highlighting the risk for brokers, many of whom are self-employed and likely to deal with HMRC regularly.
The email subject title was: “Reminder: Please Submit Your Refund Payment” and said Mr Sinclair was due a tax rebate of £256.99 which had come to light “Following an upgrade of our computer systems and review of our records.”
It stated that: “Due to the high volume of refunds due,” Sinclair should “complete the on-line application, the telephone help line is unable to assist with this application.”
An attachment to the email form opened an online form, supposedly from HMRC.
Sinclair said brokers could be particularly at risk from this sort of scam.
He said: “Having received this particular scam myself it was not obvious in the ways that I would normally look at such emails that it was a scam.
“However brokers should always be wary of anybody - even the tax man - offering them money on a voluntary basis - even AMI knows there is no such thing as a free lunch!”
HMRC released details of scam emails which pose as authentic communication from their organisation earlier this year. Full details can be seen at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/security/examples.htm
Richard Hurley, communications manager, at CIFAS said: “Given the time of year that it is, at the end of the tax year, it’s an obvious time for fraudsters to try to target people this way. Any self-employed business owners do need to be mindful of that.”
Hurley warned that scammers are professionals, and said brokers should be especially wary.
“It’s very easy to see why someone would think this was genuine,” he said. “But my advice would always be, if you’re in doubt, check it out. HMRC would not simply email, they would write to you as well.”
An Office of Fair Trading’s spokesman said: “Be sceptical, take your time, know who you are dealing with and protect your financial information.
“Don't be fooled by official looking websites and marketing materials as scammers are very good at making their scams look authentic. Never give your bank account details or passwords to someone you don't know.”
A spokesman from HMRC said: “HMRC would not inform customers of a tax rebate via email, or invite them to complete an online form to receive a rebate of tax.”
Tony Neate, managing director of consumer advice website getsafeonline.org said phishing was becoming more prolific and scammers were now cleverer than ever.
He warned brokers that the other side to scams was that consumers were getting more savvy.
“Make sure when you send out marketing or emails to your clients, you put enough information in,” he said.
“Things like landline phone numbers and official web addresses show that companies are serious. Scammers are more likely to use mobiles.”
“As for brokers getting scammed, the old adage is true. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is,” he added.
HMRC is aware of the following email addresses used by scammers to try to con people out of their cash.
HMRC said that it does not send out emails using these email addresses.
If you suspect a scam report it online at www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/scams or call Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.
