Don’t get hooked by tax scam

Turner Peachey Chartered Accountants said that fraudsters are increasing their scam because the tax credits renewal deadline is July 31. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is trying to tackle the problem nationally but Turner Peachey says local customers are also being targeted.

 

Karen Gittins-Jones, partner in Turner Peachey Chartered Accountants, said: “HMRC only ever contact customers who are due a tax refund in writing by post. They don’t use telephone calls, emails or external companies in these circumstances. Anyone who receives an email claiming to be from HMRC should send it to phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk before deleting it permanently.”

The phishing emails often promise a rebate and, if taxpayers click on the link, they are taken to a replica of the HMRC website. The recipient is asked to provide credit or debit card details or other sensitive information such as passwords. Fraudsters then try to take money from the account.

Victims risk having money stolen from their bank accounts, or their personal details being sold on to criminal gangs for identity fraud.

During last year’s tax credits renewals period, from April to July, nearly 94,000 phishing emails were reported by customers nationwide. Even though HMRC helped shut down more than 360 scam websites during the period, others continue to be created.

If you would like to have a no obligation chat about how Turner Peachey can help, contact their Welshpool office on 01938 552078.