Scams - people pretending to be HMRC

Be careful out there people...

The scammers and ne'er do wells are out and about trying to con you out of your hard earned...

You may have heard of these two scams before but a timely reminder is probably in order.

Just to re-iterate - HMRC will never get in touch with you by email about a refund or money that needs to be paid to them.

So, this is how the two scams work:

Someone pretending to be HMRC will either call or email and say that you are due a refund.  If it's a call they'll ask you for your bank account details so a refund can be made.

If it's an email it will either ask you to click a link and enter your bank details or respond to the email with bank details.  In both instances horrible things will happen to your PC...

Sometimes the email received looks pretty convincing but often it just doesn't look right; it doesn't have the right layout or privacy message and often the English isn't very good.

The real giveaway, though is if you hover (DO NOT CLICK) over the email address - it may say HMRC in the description but when you hover it comes up with something completely different.

So, the real HMRC will never ask for your account details this way.  If a refund is due it will either be paid to account details submitted with your tax return, by cheque or there will be a refund via PAYE in your salary.

The second scam is even more worrying.

Someone pretending to be from HMRC will call and say that you have an unpaid tax bill that has to be paid today if you are to avoid enforcement action.  Sometimes it's by email.

Usually the amount isn't very much - maybe £300 - £500 - and the person on the other end of the 'phone will ask you to make a payment by card immediately.

Over the 'phone.

Or face dire consequences.

HMRC will never ask for money in this way.  If you are concerned that a call may not be from HMRC ask for some proof over the 'phone or tell the person that you will hang up and call in to the HMRC public telephone numbers.

NEVER GIVE ANY INFORMATION AWAY.  YOU MAY GET ASKED FOR YOUR NATIONAL INSURANCE NUMBER TO PROVE WHO YOU ARE.

DO NOT GIVE IT.

The best plan of action is simply to hang up because the more you engage with these people the more they will sound credible and you'll doubt yourself.

If you are really unsure about whether it's HMRC and you're one of our customers - give us a call - 0131 202 9888 - and we'll call HMRC for you just to set your mind at rest.

And the people the scammers are targeting: older people and students.

Please share this blog to get the message out there.