HMRC tax scams
It’s just past the deadline for self-assessment tax returns, and the scammers are busy.
Tax scams can be attempted by phone, email or even text message.
They could be threatening messages, telling you that you owe tax, and suggesting that fines or even imprisonment could result if you don’t pay up immediately. Their aim will be to get you to panic and act quickly, without taking the time to question it.
Alternatively, they try the honey-trap method – promising that you have a tax rebate, and need only click on the link to claim it.
Don’t fall for them.
The HMRC says:
The same goes for a ‘phone call. The bottom line is that the HMRC will only contact you by post, so a communication by any other method will be fake.
Government advice about these emails is:
Firstly, do not:
- visit the website
- open any attachments
- disclose any personal or payment information
And secondly, report any fake communications you receive to the HMRC themselves. You can do this by:
- Filling in an online form to report a suspicious phone call
- Forward details of suspicious emails to HMRC’s phishing team
phishing@hmrc.gov.uk - Forward suspicious text messages to 60599. Text messages will be charged at your network rate.
DVLA tax scams
There’s also a whole variety of scams pretending to come from the DVLA. Examples include:
- final request text – tries to create urgency to pressure you
- road tax refund notification – there’ll be link – don’t click on it
- DVLA trying to contact you – again this includes a link
- failed payment – this will suggest that your payment didn’t go through, and ask you to confirm your bank details
- not up-to-date with vehicle tax
If you receive any of these types of communication, report them to Action Fraud or the police. Don’t click on any links, don’t give personal information, and don’t give bank details. If you have been lured into giving away your bank details, inform your bank as soon as you can.
For further advice on how to protect yourself against malicious emails, why not have a look at our website, or give us a call on 0114 287 0510.
Think first – don’t fall for tax scams!