Suzanne Vega reveals her six favourite albums
American singer and master songwriter Suzanne Vega explores her six favourite albums, and they don't disappoint.
Read more >> : Cick here
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
HMRC email and text warning with personal details at serious risk
Fraudsters could be targeting HMRC customers as many get ready to file in their Self Assessment
Click Here to read in detail
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) customers are being urged to avoid malicious scams as the self-assessment deadline rapidly approaches. Millions of people are set to complete their Self Assessment tax return and pay any tax they owe to HMRC by January 31.
With the risk of running a £100 penalty fee, those who need to submit a tax return are being urged to do so before the deadline passes. However, customers should also remain vigilant of fradusters taking advantage of the tax return period to steal personal information.
Some have been reported by HMRC to be targeting people, offering tax refunds or demanding that they issue a payment of tax. While fraudsters can often be convincing to unassuming victims, the true aim of these targeted messages is to get hold of personal and banking information. It comes as data from HMRC revealed that half of all scam reports in the previous year were fake tax rebate claims.
How to spot if fraudsters are posing as HMRCOfficial guidance states that HMRC will never contact claimants by email, text, or phone to announce that they are owed a refund or urging them to request a refund. If a claimant is due a tax refund from HMRC, they can instead check and make a claim for it through their online account or through the HMRC app.
HMRC also highlighted that if a phone calls, text message, or email checks with the following list, then it might be a scam:
The contact attempts to rush you The text, email or phone call is threatening You weren't expecting to be contacted by HMRC Someone asks for your personal information such as bank details You are encouraged to transfer money You are offered a tax refund or grantHMRC also has a strict policy of never leaving a voicemail threatening legal action or threatening arrest. It's important to note that not all text messages claiming to be from HMRC are illegitimate.
HMRC will sometimes leave text messages ot its customers which can also sometimes include a link to GOV.UK or HMRC webchat. Despite this, customers are not advised to press on any links involved in a text or email that claims to offer a tax refund in exchange for personal details.
What if you believe you have been targeted by a fraudsterIf you have received some form of communciation that you believe is not from HMRC and is instead a fraudster attempting to steal your details you can do the following depending on how you were contacted
Suspicious text message
If you receive a text message that doesn't seem legitimate, it's important you do not reply to it. Instead you can instead send it to 60599 which will report it as a potential scam.
Suspicious email
Similarly, you can fight email phishing attempts by not replying or clicking any links included and instead forwarding the email to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk. Once this is done, you should delete the email.
If you may have already given information away to fraudstersIf you believe you have already mistakenly given information away to fraudsters as a result of a HMRC scam, you can contact the HMRC security team via email at security.custcon@hmrc.gov.uk. When contacting the security team, you should provide a brief summary of what information you have given away, however, be sure not to provide any actual personal details in the email.
Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.
