Tax Tip

The following phishing activity is the most frequently reported fraud attempt to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) at the present time.

Tax rebate - updated 4 September 2008

HMRC are aware of a high number of emails being sent out offering a tax rebate. 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.

Do not visit the website contained within the email or disclose any personal or payment information.

Email addresses used to distribute the tax rebate emails include:

TaxRefund@hmrc.gov.uk
service@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk
claims@hmrc.direct.gov.uk
notice@hmrc.gov.uk
hmrc@hmrc.gov.uk
admin@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk
info@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk
no-reply@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk

HMRC does not send out emails using these email addresses.

HMRC Impersonation Phone Calls - 7 August 2008

HMRC have been informed of individuals contacting members of the public by telephone to demand ‘customs payments’ on impounded parcels, and ‘VAT payments’ on business activity unknown to the call recipient. HMRC would not contact you by telephone, email or use external companies in these circumstances.

If you are asked to give any payment or personal details over the telephone you should always check with HMRC that the caller is a genuine representative of the Department.

'Customs Service' email - 25 July 2008

An email is being issued informing the recipient that a parcel has been received for them and is being held en-route from France, it then requests that the customer fills out a customs declaration. This is not an official HMRC email.

There is an attachment to the email. Attachments can contain viruses and should not be opened.

If you have received an email such as this, please be aware that HMRC do not pursue money in this way. Please forward the email to phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk.

Rebate phone calls – updated 4 December 2007

HMRC have started to receive telephone calls from concerned members of the public who have been contacted by external companies who claim that they may be entitled to a tax or child benefit rebate. The caller offers the rebate in exchange for personal details and bank account information. HMRC would advise you in writing if you were due a rebate. They would not contact you by telephone, email or use external companies in these circumstances.

If you are asked to give any personal details over the telephone you should always check with HMRC that the caller is a genuine representative of the Department.

Tax payments on lottery winnings (Stop Order Fraud) - updated 19 September 2007

A number of frauds state that a parcel containing a cheque in respect of lottery winnings has been impounded by HMRC. It will only be released when a substantial tax sum is paid, which will form a percentage of the winnings.

This is a fraud.

An example of the stop order fraud can be found at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/security/stoporderexample.htm.

A fake TFT Tax Payment Form (PDF 146K) http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/security/tft-payment.pdf is being sent requesting a cheque for an underpayment of tax. This form does not exist within HMRC, and no monies should be sent.